Cellular Permissivity Factor for Viruses and Uses Thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods and compositions related to the generation of host cells permissive for virus growth, particularly Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/775,283, filed May 6, 2010, an allowed application, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/113,751, filed Apr. 25, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,754,464, and claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60/565,214, filed Apr. 23, 2004, and 60/634,736, filed Dec. 9, 2004. The complete text and disclosure of the Ser. No. 12/775,283 application is incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods and compositions related to the generation of host cells permissive for virus growth for viruses of the family Asfarviridae and Arteriviridae.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Asfarviridae

Asfarviridae is a family of icosohedral enveloped viruses whose genome consists of a single molecule of linear double-stranded DNA of about 150000-190000 nucleotides long. The name of the family is derived from African Swine Fever and Releted Viruses. African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is the type species of the Asfivirus genus and is the sole member of the family Recently, porcine CD163 polypeptide has been surmised by implication to be the cellular receptor for African swine fever virus (ASFV) (Sanchez-Torres et al., 2003)

Arteriviridae

Viruses of the family of Arteriviridae includes equine arteritis virus (EAV), lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV) and simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV). The Arterivirus having the greatest economic importance is Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV).

PRRSV

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is one of the most economically important diseases of swine. The syndrome appeared almost simultaneously in North America and in Western Europe in the late 1980s, and has since spread to become endemic in the major swine producing nations of Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The etiologic agent of PRRS is a virus that has been designated PRRS virus or PRRSV. For both European and North American PRRS, the disease is characterized by reproductive failure in sows and gilts (late term abortions, still births, and mummies), high mortality among nursery pigs, and respiratory disease in swine of all ages. The disease has been the subject of recent reviews (Mengeling and Lager, 2000; Murtaugh et al., 2002; Nodelijk, 2002; Plagemann, 2003).

In the pig, PRRSV infection is limited to a subset of cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. Fully differentiated porcine alveolar macrophage (PAM) cells are the primary target cells for viral replication (Duan et al., 1997a; Duan et al., 1997b). Immortalization of PAM cells is technically challenging, and when successful, has resulted in cell lines that are not permissive for PRRS virus growth (Weingartl et al., 2002). PRRS virions are specifically bound by macrophages and internalized in clathrin-coated pits by endocytosis. Release from endocytic vesicles requires acidic pH (Nauwynck et al., 1999). Initial binding of virions is mediated by interaction of the viral matrix protein with heparin sulfate glycosaminoglycans (Delputte et al., 2002). Internalization can be facilitated by a 210 or 220 kDa membrane glycoprotein, as incubation of PAM cells with monoclonal antibodies to this polypeptide blocks infection with PRRS virus (Duan et al., 1998; Wissink et al., 2003). The 210 kDa glycoprotein has recently been identified as sialoadhesin, a member of siglec family of sialic acid binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Pensaert et al., 2003). Transfection of the non-permissive PK-15 (porcine kidney) cell line with porcine sialoadhesin conferred the ability to internalize PRRSV particles, but there remained an apparent block at the uncoating stage, as virions entered into cellular vesicles but did not undergo nucleocapsid disintegration and vesicle membrane fusion. Viral genes were not expressed, and the transfected PK-15 cells were not rendered permissive for the PRRS virus (Vanderheijden et al., 2003). To our knowledge, transfection with sialoadhesin has not been shown to be sufficient to convert any PRRSV non-permissive cell line to a PRRSV-permissive phenotype.

Apart from primary porcine cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage, the only other cell type known to be permissive for the growth of PRRSV in cell culture is the immortalized monkey kidney cell line MA-104(Chladek et al., 1998) and derivatives such as MARC-145 (Kim et al., 1993) and CL-2621. It is not known why this one particular cell line is permissive, yet other mammalian cell lines are not. The PRRS virus binds specifically to a number of different cell types, but does not initiate infection (Kreutz, 1998; Therrien et al., 2000). In MARC-145 cells, the internalization of the virus by endocytosis and subsequent uncoating in low pH vesicles seems to mimic similar events in PAM cells (Kreutz and Ackermann, 1996). However, a number of monoclonal antibodies that bind to porcine sialoadhesin fail to detect a homologous protein on the surface of MARC-145 cells (Duan et al., 1998; Wissink et al., 2003), suggesting that MARC-145 cells may use a divergent member of the same protein family or a different receptor altogether.

Current PRRSV vaccines are propagated on simian cell lines, which is a potentially dangerous activity. The use of simian cell lines for vaccine production has the potential to introduce primate viruses of significance into swine lines intended for xenotransplant purposes. Because swine are being increasingly explored as a source of xenotransplanted organs for humans, the introduction of primate cell lines to swine populations may ultimately pose a risk to humans receiving xenotransplanted organs. Thus, it would be prudent to avoid the use of simian cell lines in swine vaccine preparations. It would be therefore desirable to identify or generate non-simian cells or cell lines capable of supporting PRRSV replication. Towards this goal, it is essential to identify the gene product(s) which may be responsible for conferring the permissivity for PRRSV replication as seen in certain simian cells lines as well as PAM cells. Once such gene products are identified, non-permissive cells might be rendered permissive by, for example, transfection of the essential gene into them, thereby affording a wider array of production lines for a vaccine.

One lab has reported that the tetraspanin protein CD151 from MARC-145 cells, when transfected into non-permissive BHK-21 cells, confers permissivity to the PRRS virus (Kapil and Shanmukhappa, 2003; Shanmukhappa and Kapil, 2001). This observation has yet to be confirmed by an independent lab.

We describe here an unrelated polypeptide, which when introduced into non-permissive cells, confers permissivity to the PRRS virus.

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes a method of facilitating infection of one or more cells by a virus that is selected from the group consisting of Arteriviridae and Asfarviridae, which comprises the step of increasing expression of a CD163 polypeptide within said cell. In a preferred embodiment the CD163 is membrane bound. In one embodiment the virus is selected from the group consisting of Arteriviridae. In a preferred embodiment the virus is PRRSV. In another embodiment said virus is equine arteritis virus (EAV). In yet another embodiment said virus is African Swine Fever virus (ASFV).

Increased expression of a CD163 polypeptide may be accomplished by methods such as introduction of exogenous nucleic acids encoding CD163 polypeptides. Such methods include but are not limited to transfection, electroporation and fusion with a carrier of a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide encoding a CD163 polypeptide. Increased expression may also be accomplished by induction of expression of endogenous CD163 by chemical treatment.

The method may render previously non PRRSV-permissive cells to be PRRSV permissive. The method may render a cell that was previously PRRSV permissive to be more PRRSV permissive. The method also includes rendering one or more cells that previously did not express a CD163 polypeptide into cells that are induced to express a CD163 polypeptide. The method also includes rendering one or more cells that previously expressed a CD163 polypeptide to express a higher level of CD163 polypeptide.

The cells in a preferred embodiment are animal cells. They may be vertebrate or invertebrate cells. The cells may be mammalian. The cells or cell line may be an insect cell line. The cells may be BHK21 cells. The cells may be derived from porcine kidney cells. The cells or cell line may be derived from feline kidney cells. The cells or cell line may be but are not limited to BHK-21, NLST-1, NLFK-1, Vero, swine testicle, or rabbit lung cells. The cells or cell line may be derived from avian cells. The PRRSV may be of the European or North American genotype.

As noted above, increased expression of a CD163 polypeptide may be accomplished by methods which include but are not limited to: transfection, electroporation and fusion with a carrier of a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide encoding a CD163 polypeptide. In addition, viral vectors may be used to introduce a polynucleotide encoding a CD163 polypeptide. Any CD163 polypeptides are contemplated. Those containing a transmembrane region are preferred. Exemplary polynucleotide encoding CD163 polypeptides that may be used in the method are selected from the group consisting of the polynucleotides listed below.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity with SEQ ID NO: 2 or fragments thereof.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 2 by no more than 20 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 2 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 2.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide with the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that has at least 70% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 14 or fragments thereof.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that has at least 90% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 14 or fragments thereof.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that has at least 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 14 or fragments thereof.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 14 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 14 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 14.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide with the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 13.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that has at least 90% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19 or fragments thereof.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 19 by no more than 2 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 19.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide with the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 24 by no more than 2 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 24.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide with the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27 or fragments thereof.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 27 by no more than 20 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 27 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 27.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide with the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 26.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that has at least 98% or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 32 or fragments thereof.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 32 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 32 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 32.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide with the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 31.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 34 or fragments thereof.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 34 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 34 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 34.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide with the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 33.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 36 or fragments thereof.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 36 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 36 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 36.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide with the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 35.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that has at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42 or fragments thereof.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 42 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 42 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 42.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide with the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 41.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that has at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44 or fragments thereof.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 44 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 44 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 44.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide with the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46 or fragments thereof.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 46 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 46 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 46.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide with the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 45.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that has at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48 or fragments thereof.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 48 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 48 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 48.

One such polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide with the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 47.

The method of facilitating infection described above may further comprise the step of producing a culture of virus. The invention also comprises the step of isolating the virus from said culture.

The invention further comprises the culture isolated by the method described above.

The invention further comprises the virus isolated by the method described above.

Any of the methods described above may further comprise the step of producing a PRRSV or other viral vaccine. The vaccine may comprise killed or live attenuated virus. The invention further comprises the vaccines produced by said method.

The invention also comprises a cell or cell line wherein the ability of one or more cells to be infected by a virus selected from the group consisting of Arteriviridae and Asfarviridae has been modified by increasing expression of a CD163 polypeptide within said cells. In another embodiment the virus is PRRSV. In another embodiment said virus is equine arteritis virus (EAV). In yet another embodiment said virus is African Swine Fever virus (ASFV).

In a preferred embodiment the CD163 polypeptide comprises a transmembrane region. In one embodiment the virus is selected from the group consisting of Arteriviridae. In a preferred embodiment the virus is PRRSV. In another embodiment said virus is equine arteritis virus (EAV). In yet another embodiment said virus is African Swine Fever virus (ASFV).

The cell or cell line of the invention may have been previously PRRSV non-permissive and is rendered PRRSV permissive by directing increased expression of a CD163 polypeptide within said cell or cell line. The cell or cell line of the invention may have been previously PRRSV permissive and is rendered to be more PRRSV permissive by directing increased expression of a CD163 polypeptide within said cell or cell line.

The cell or cell line of the invention includes cells or cell lines that did not express a CD163 polypeptide and is induced to express a CD163 polypeptide. The cell or cell line of the invention includes cells or cell lines that previously expressed a CD163 polypeptide and is induced to express a higher level of CD163 polypeptide.

The cells in a preferred embodiment are animal cells. They may be vertebrate or invertebrate cells. The cells may be mammalian. The cell or cell line may be an insect cell or cell line. The cells may be BHK21 cells. The cells may be derived from porcine kidney cells. The cell or cell line may be derived from feline kidney cells. The cells may be, but are not limited to, BHK-21, NLST-1, NLFK-1, Vero, swine testicle (ST), or rabbit lung (RL) cells. The PRRSV may be North American or European.

The invention includes a method for measuring the propensity of a test cell or cell line to allow infection by a virus selected from the group consisting of Arteriviridae and Asfarviridae comprising:

a) providing a sample containing nucleic acids from the test cell or cell line; b) determining the amount of polynucleotide encoding a CD163 polypeptide or its complement in said sample; wherein an increased amount of polynucleotide encoding a CD163 polypeptide relative to a control sample derived from a control cell or cell line known not to support the growth of said virus indicates a propensity of the test cell or cell line to support the replication of said virus.

In one embodiment the virus is selected from the group consisting of Arteriviridae. In a preferred embodiment the virus is PRRSV. In another embodiment said virus is equine arteritis virus (EAV). In yet another embodiment said virus is African Swine Fever virus (ASFV).

The amount of polynucleotide encoding a CD163 polypeptide may be determined by hybridization.

The amount of polynucleotide encoding a CD163 polypeptide may be determined by PCR.

The invention also includes a method for measuring the propensity of a test cell or cell line to allow infection by a virus selected from the group consisting of Arteriviridae and Asfarviridae comprising:

(a) providing a sample containing polypeptides from the test cell or cell line; (b) determining the amount of CD163 polypeptide in said sample; wherein an increased amount of a CD163 polypeptide relative to a control sample derived from a control cell or cell line known not to support the growth of said virus indicates a propensity of the test cell or cell line to support the replication of said virus.

In one embodiment the virus is selected from the group consisting of Arteriviridae. In a preferred embodiment the virus is PRRSV. In another embodiment said virus is equine arteritis virus (EAV). In yet another embodiment said virus is African Swine Fever virus (ASFV).

In one embodiment the determining is accomplished by contacting a CD163 polypeptide with an antibody specific for the CD163 polypeptide, under conditions wherein the antibody binds the CD163 polypeptide.

The invention includes a method for measuring the propensity of a first pig to become infected by a virus selected from the group consisting of Arteriviridae and Asfarviridae comprising:

a) providing a sample containing nucleic acids from the pig to be tested; b) determining the amount of polynucleotide encoding a CD163 polypeptide or its complement in said sample; wherein an increased amount of polynucleotide encoding a CD163 polypeptide relative to the amount of polynucleotide encoding a CD163 polypeptide in a sample from a second pig indicates a greater propensity of the first pig to be infected by said virus.

In one embodiment the virus is selected from the group consisting of Arteriviridae. In a preferred embodiment the virus is PRRSV. In another embodiment said virus is equine arteritis virus (EAV). In yet another embodiment said virus is African Swine Fever virus (ASFV).

In one embodiment the determining is accomplished by hybridization. In another embodiment the determining is accomplished by PCR.

The invention also includes a method for measuring the propensity of a first pig to become infected by a virus selected from the group consisting of Arteriviridae and Asfarviridae comprising:

(a) providing a sample containing polypeptides from pig to be tested; (b) determining the amount of CD163 polypeptide in said sample; wherein an increased amount of a CD163 polypeptide relative to the amount of CD163 polypeptide in a sample from a second pig indicates a greater propensity of the first pig to be infected by said virus.

In one embodiment the virus is selected from the group consisting of Arteriviridae. In a preferred embodiment the virus is PRRSV. In another embodiment said virus is equine arteritis virus (EAV). In yet another embodiment said virus is African Swine Fever virus (ASFV).

In one embodiment the determining is accomplished by contacting a CD163 polypeptide with an antibody specific for the CD163 polypeptide, under conditions wherein the antibody binds the CD163 polypeptide.

The invention also includes an isolated polypeptide wherein the polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of the polypeptides described below.

Therefore the invention also includes an isolated polypeptide having at least 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity with SEQ ID NO: 2 or fragments thereof.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 2 by no more than 20 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 2 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO: 2.

The invention also includes an isolated polypeptide having at least 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 14 or fragments thereof.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 14 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 14 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO: 14.

The invention also includes an isolated polypeptide having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19 or fragments thereof.

The invention also includes an isolated polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 19 by no more than 2 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO: 19.

The invention also includes an isolated polypeptide having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 24 or fragments thereof.

The invention also includes an isolated polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 24 by no more than 2 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO: 24.

The invention also includes an isolated polypeptide having at least 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 27 by no more than 20 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 27 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 27.

The invention also includes an isolated polypeptide having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 32 or fragments thereof.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 32 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 32 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 32.

The invention also includes an isolated polypeptide having at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 34 or fragments thereof.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 34 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 34 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 34.

The invention also includes an isolated polypeptide having at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 36 or fragments thereof.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 36 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 36 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 36.

The invention also includes an isolated polypeptide having at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 38 or fragments thereof.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 38 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 38 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 38.

The invention also includes an isolated polypeptide having at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 40 or fragments thereof.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 40 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 40 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 40.

The invention also includes an isolated polypeptide having at 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42 or fragments thereof.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 42 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 42 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 42.

The invention also includes an isolated polypeptide having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44 or fragments thereof.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 44 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 44 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 44.

The invention also includes an isolated polypeptide having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46 or fragments thereof.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 46 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 46 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 46.

Therefore the invention also includes an isolated polypeptide having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48 or fragments thereof.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 48 by no more than 15 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide differing from SEQ ID NO: 48 by no more than 10 conservative amino acid substitutions.

One such polypeptide is a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 48.

The invention also includes an isolated CD163 polynucleotide wherein said polynucleotide is selected from the group consisting of the polynucleotides enumerated below.

Therefore the invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1 or 5; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 or fragments thereof; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2; (d) a polynucleotide which is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

Therefore the invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 12 or 13; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 14 or fragments thereof; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 14; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

Therefore the invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 17 or 18; (b) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 19 or fragments thereof; (c) a polynucleotide which is the complement of (a) or (b).

Therefore the invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 22 or 23; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 99%, 99.9% identity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 24 or fragments thereof; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 24; (d) a polynucleotide which is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

Therefore the invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 25 or 26; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27 or fragments thereof; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 27; (d) a polynucleotide which is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

Therefore the invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 30 or 31; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 96%, 96.2%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 32 or fragments thereof; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 32; (d) a polynucleotide which is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

Therefore the invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 33; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 34 or fragments thereof; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 34; (d) a polynucleotide which is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

Therefore the invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 35; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 36 or fragments thereof; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 36; (d) a polynucleotide which is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

Therefore the invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 37; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 38 or fragments thereof; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 38; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

Therefore the invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 39; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 40 or fragments thereof; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 40; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

Therefore the invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 41; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42 or fragments thereof; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 42; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

Therefore the invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44 or fragments thereof; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 44; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

Therefore the invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 45; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 85%, 85.5%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%; 96%, 97%, 98%; or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46 or fragments thereof; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 46; (d) a polynucleotide which is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 47; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48 or fragments thereof; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 49; (d) a polynucleotide which is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

Therefore the invention also includes a CD163 polypeptide in which the transmembrane region is deleted.

Therefore the invention also includes a polynucleotide encoding a CD163 polypeptide in which the transmembrane region is deleted.

In addition to the foregoing, the invention includes, as an additional aspect, all embodiments of the invention narrower in scope in any way than the variations specifically mentioned above.

Brief Description of the Sequence Listings

SEQ ID NO: 1—cDNA sequence encoding porcine susCD163v1 SEQ ID NO: 2—predicted amino acid sequence of porcine susCD163v1 SEQ ID NO: 3—cDNA sequence, Genbank accession number AJ311716 SEQ ID NO: 4—predicted amino acid sequence derived from Genbank accession number AJ311716 SEQ ID NO: 5—cDNA sequence of susCD163v1 containing flanking (non-coding) sequence SEQ ID NO: 6-11—primer sequences SEQ ID NO: 12—cDNA sequence encoding porcine susCD163v2 containing flanking (non-coding) sequence SEQ ID NO: 13—cDNA sequence encoding porcine susCD163v2 SEQ ID NO: 14—predicted amino acid sequence of porcine susCD163v2 SEQ ID NO: 15-16—primer sequences SEQ ID NO: 17—cDNA sequence encoding human CD163v2 containing flanking (non-coding) sequence SEQ ID NO: 18—cDNA sequence encoding human CD163v2 SEQ ID NO: 19—predicted amino acid sequence of human CD163v2 SEQ ID NO: 20-21—primer sequences SEQ ID NO: 22—cDNA sequence encoding murine CD163v2 containing flanking (non-coding) sequence SEQ ID NO: 23—cDNA sequence encoding murine CD163v2 SEQ ID NO: 24—predicted amino acid sequence of murine CD163v2 SEQ ID NO: 25—cDNA sequence encoding murine CD163v3 containing flanking (non-coding) sequence SEQ ID NO: 26—cDNA sequence encoding murine CD163v3 SEQ ID NO: 27—predicted amino acid sequence of murine CD163v3 SEQ ID NO: 28-29—primer sequences SEQ ID NO: 30—cDNA sequence encoding MARC-145 CD163v2 containing flanking (non-coding) sequence SEQ ID NO: 31—cDNA sequence encoding MARC-145 CD163v2 SEQ ID NO: 32—predicted amino acid sequence of MARC-145 CD163v2 SEQ ID NO: 33—cDNA sequence encoding Vero cell CD163v2 transcript SEQ ID NO: 34—predicted amino acid sequence of Vero cell CD163v2 SEQ ID NO: 35—cDNA sequence encoding Vero cell CD163v3 transcript SEQ ID NO: 36—predicted amino acid sequence of Vero cell CD163v3 SEQ ID NO: 37—cDNA sequence encoding Vero cell CD163v4 transcript SEQ ID NO: 38—predicted amino acid sequence of Vero cell CD163v4 SEQ ID NO: 39—cDNA sequence encoding Vero cell CD163v5 transcript SEQ ID NO: 40—predicted amino acid sequence of Vero cell CD163v5 SEQ ID NO: 41—cDNA sequence encoding Vero cell CD163v6 transcript SEQ ID NO: 42—predicted amino acid sequence of Vero cell CD163v6 SEQ ID NO: 43—cDNA sequence encoding Vero cell CD163v7 transcript SEQ ID NO: 44—predicted amino acid sequence of Vero cell CD163v7 SEQ ID NO: 45—cDNA sequence encoding canine CD163v2 transcript SEQ ID NO: 46—predicted amino acid sequence of canine CD163v2 SEQ ID NO: 47—cDNA sequence encoding canine CD163v3 transcript SEQ ID NO: 48—predicted amino acid sequence of canine CD163v3

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Schematic comparison of susCD163v1 with AJ311716

FIG. 2 Amino acid sequence alignment of susCD163v1 (SEQ ID NO: 2) with AJ311716 (SEQ ID NO: 4)

FIG. 3 Nucleotide sequence alignment of susCD163v1 with AJ311716

FIG. 4 Generation of DNA fragments and ligation to place CD163 directly behind the RSV promoter. Plasmids were digested with either DraIII or DrdI, followed by a blunting reaction with Klenow enzyme. After clean up, the plasmids were digested with Nod. Gel purification yielded DNA fragments that were subsequently ligated utilizing the cohesive Nod termini. Promoters from RSV (pRSV) and SV40 (pSV40) are indicated with arrows.

FIG. 5 Map of pcDNA3.1 Directional V5/His/TOPO cloning vector

FIG. 6 Three BHK/CMV/v1 cell lines, #3, #5, and #12 and a non-permissive BHK cell line were infected with PRRSV isolate P129 and stained with SDOW17-FITC. Panel A shows a non-permissive BHK21 cell clone. Panel B shows BHK/CMV/v1 clone #3. Panel C shows BHK/CMV/v1 clone #5. Panel D shows BHK/CMV/v1 clone #12.

FIG. 7 Three BHK/RSV/v1 cell lines, #2, #3, and #4 were infected with PRRSV isolate P129 and stained with SDOW17-FITC. Panel A shows BHK/RSV/v1 clone #2. Panel B shows BHK/RSV/v1 clone #3. Panel C shows BHK/RSV/v1 clone #4.

FIG. 8 Feline kidney cell lines stably expressing porcine CD163v1, showing PRRSV plaques. Cell lines NLFK-CMV-susCD163v1-G4F and NLFK-CMV-susCD163v1-G4L, both at passage 4, were infected with the P129 isolate of North American PRRSV and incubated for 6 days. Monolayers were fixed with 80% acetone and stained with monoclonal antibody SDOW17-FITC. Phase contrast microscopy (right) shows localized regions of viral CPE (plaques), while FA detection (left) shows co-localized viral nucleocapsid antigen.

FIG. 9 Four FK/RSV/v1 cell lines, #1, #2, #3, and #4 were infected with PRRSV isolate P129 and stained with monoclonal antibody SDOW17-FITC. Panel A shows FK/RSVv1 #1 cell clone. Panel B shows FK/RSV/v1 clone #2. Panel C shows FK/RSV/v1 clone #3. Panel D shows FK/RSV/v1 #4.

FIG. 10 PK-CMV-susCD163v1-A10 cells at passage 19, infected with PRRSV isolate P129. Left: The monolayer was fixed with 80% acetone and stained with FITC-conjugated monoclonal antibody SDOW17 (Rural Technologies Inc), which is specific for PRRSV nucleocapsid. Right: The same well under bright field illumination, showing cell distribution.

FIG. 11 BHK-CMVScript-susCD163v2-A9 at passage 17 infected with PRRSV isolate P129. The monolayer was fixed with 80% acetone and stained with FITC-conjugated monoclonal antibody SDOW17 (Rural Technologies Inc), which is specific for PRRSV nucleocapsid.

FIG. 12 Three representative examples of the BHK/RSV/v2 cell lines. The cells were infected with PRRSV isolate P129 and subsequently stained with SDOW17-FITC. Panel A shows cell line BHK/RSV/v2 #1, panel B shows cell line BHK/RSV/v2 #34, and panel C shows cell line BHK/RSV/v2 #47.

FIG. 13 FK-cDNA3.1D-humCD163v2-A6 at passage 15 infected with PRRSV isolate P129. The monolayer was then fixed with 80% acetone and stained with FITC-conjugated monoclonal antibody SDOW17 (Rural Technologies Inc), which is specific for PRRSV nucleocapsid.

FIG. 14 The amount of progeny PRRSV produced by four recombinant cell lines stably expressing susCD163v1, and by MARC-145 cells, was determined in a growth curve experiment using the NVSL 94-3 isolate of PRRSV. Samples harvested at 12-hour intervals were titrated on MARC-145 cell monolayers.

FIG. 15 Flow cytometry analysis of PRRSV infection in the presence of CD163 specific antibody. BHK-21 cells expressing MARC-145 CD163 from transient transfection were incubated with either CD163 specific antibody or normal goat IgG (NGS) and infected with a GFP-expressing PRRSV. Each data point represents the results of triplicate wells.

FIG. 16 Flow cytometry analysis of PRRSV infection in the presence of CD163 specific antibody. NLFK cells stably expressing human CD163 were incubated with either CD163 specific antibody or normal goat IgG (NGS) and infected with a GFP expressing PRRSV. At 24 hours post infection the percentage of GFP expressing infected cells was determined. Each data point represents the result from a single well of cells.

FIG. 17. Graphical depiction of six alternative splicing variants of CD163 mRNA recovered from Vero cells. The six variants differ in the presence or absence of three exons, designated E6, E105, and E83. Exons E6 and E105 have lengths that are multiples of three, and therefore do not result in a change in reading frame when absent. In contrast, the absence of E83 results in a shifted reading frame and an alternative amino acid sequence at the carboxy terminus of the protein (indicated by a hatched pattern in the figure). The hydrophobic transmembrane (TM) region is encoded within E105.

FIG. 18. PK-RSVScript-susCD163v2 #9 cells infected with PRRSV isolate P129. Undiluted supernatant from PRRSV isolate P201 infected PAMs was used to infect PK-RSVScript-susCD163v2 #9 cells. After two days of incubation the cells were fixed and stained with monoclonal antibody SDOW17 as described in Example 11.

FIG. 19. FK-RSVScript-susCD163v2 #51 cells infected with PRRSV isolate P129. Undiluted supernatant from PRRSV isolate P201 infected PAMs was used to infect FK-RSVScript-susCD163v2 #51 cells. Two days post infection the cells were acetone fixed and stained with monoclonal antibody SDOW17 as described in Example 11.

FIG. 20. Infection of PK-RSVScript-susCD163v2 clone #9 cells with PRRSV isolate P201. Panel A shows a monolayer of cells infected with PRRSV P201 at passage 1, twenty-four hours post infection. Panel B shows a monolayer of cells 2 days post infection with cell free supernatant PRRSV P201 at passage 10.

FIG. 21. NLFK parent cells and one subclone of FK-cDNA3.1D-humCD163v2-A6 were examined for the CD163 expression. Cells were fixed in 80% acetone and reacted with Goat anti-human CD163 (R&D System at 1:200) for one hour following by washing with PBS. For visualization, donkey anti-Goat IgG conjugated with FITC (Biodesign Inc at 1:100) were used. No specific fluorescence was detected in the NLFK parent cells as shown in FIG. 21A. The majority of the FK.A6.A2 subclone showed good fluorescent staining indicating the presence of CD163 (FIG. 21B).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION General Definitions

Cells and cell lines can be either “virus permissive” or “virus non-permissive”. For example, a cell or cell line that is virus permissive is capable of allowing virus infection, subsequent replication, and virus production. A cell or cell line that is virus non-permissive is incapable of allowing virus infection, subsequent replication, and virus production. A cell line that is already somewhat permissive may be rendered more permissive by the methods of the invention.

Arteriviridae refers to a family of enveloped, positive-stranded RNA viruses belonging to the order Nidovirales. The family includes lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV) of mice, equine arteritis virus (EAV), simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV), and PRRSV.

Asfarviridae is a family of icosohedral, enveloped viruses whose genomes consist of single molecules of linear double-stranded DNA about 150000-190000 nucleotides long. The name of the family is derived from African Swine Fever And Releted Viruses. African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is the type species of the Asfivirus genus and is the sole member of the family.

The term “PRRSV” or PRRS virus refers to both European and North American PRRS virus genotypes. Within each genotype, isolates typically share 85% or higher nucleotide identity. Between genotypes, however, the level of sequence identity is only about 60%. The North American genotype of PRRSV is exemplified by the prototype isolate VR2332. The genomic sequence of VR2332 is found in Genbank accession number U87392, which is incorporated herein by reference. The European genotype of PRRSV is exemplified by the prototype isolate “Lelystad virus”. The genomic sequence of Lelystad virus is found in Genbank accession number M96262, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The PRRS virus is a member of the family Arteriviridae. The genome of the arteriviruses is single-stranded RNA of positive polarity between 12 and 16 kb in length, capped at the 5′ end and polyadenylated at the 3′ end. Over two-thirds of the genome is dedicated to open reading frames (ORFs) 1a and 1b, which encode the non-structural functions of the virus. ORF1b is an extension of ORF1a, and is the result of a ribosomal frameshift. ORFs 1a and 1b are translated directly from the genomic RNA. These large polypeptide products are cleaved by viral proteases to yield 12 or 13 discrete smaller peptides. The remaining ORFs, which encode viral structural proteins, are expressed from a series of 3′ co-terminal subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs). The sgRNAs are produced by discontinuous transcription of negative-stranded RNA, such that a common 5′ leader sequence becomes fused to each transcript. The major structural proteins are the nucleocapsid (N, encoded by ORF7), the matrix protein (M, encoded by ORF6), and the major envelope glycoprotein (GP5, encoded by ORF5). The remaining proteins, GP4 (ORF4), GP3 (ORF3), GP2 (ORF2a), and E (ORF2b) are minor structural components of the virion, whose functions have not yet been elucidated. The molecular biology of PRRSV has been the subject of recent review articles (Dea et al., 2000; Meulenberg, 2000; Snijder and Meulenberg, 2001).

As used herein, the term “CD163 polypeptide” means a protein encoded by a mammalian CD163 gene, including allelic variants containing conservative or non-conservative changes. A cDNA sequence that encodes a porcine CD163 polypeptide has been reported (Genbank accession number AJ311716). A murine CD163 polypeptide has also been reported (Genbank access number AF274883), as well as multiple human variants, exemplified by Genbank access numbers AAH151281 and CAA80543. We report herein polynucleotides that encode porcine, human, murine, canine, and african green monkey CD163 polypeptides and which comprise the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, 5, 12, 13, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, and 47. A “CD163 polypeptide” is a member of the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) family of transmembrane glycoproteins, and is thought to be expressed exclusively on monocytes and macrophages. One identified role of CD163 is to inhibit oxidative tissue damage following hemolysis by consuming hemoglobin:haptoglobin complexes by endocytosis. The subsequent release of interleukin-10 and synthesis of heme oxygenase-1 results in antiinflammatory and cytoprotective effects (Philippidis et al., 2004; Graversen et al., 2002). The human CD163 gene spans 35 kb on chromosome 12, and consists of 17 exons and 16 introns. A number of isoforms of the CD163 polypeptide, including membrane bound, cytoplasmic and secreted types, are known to be generated by alternative splicing (Ritter et al., 1999). Isoforms that comprise a transmembrane domain are particularly preferred.

A transmembrane domain is characterized by a polypeptide segment of a larger sequence that is exposed on both sides of a membrane. The cytoplasmic and extracellular domains are separated by at least one membrane-spanning segment that traverses the hydrophobic environment of the lipid bilayer. The membrane-spanning segment is composed of amino acid residues with nonpolar side chains, usually in the form of an alpha helix. Segments that contain about 20-30 hydrophobic residues are long enough to span a membrane as an alpha helix, and they can often be identified by means of a hydropathy plot. The predicted transmembrane domain of SEQ ID NOs:2 and 14 are indicated by bolding in the specification. To determine whether other CD163 sequences contain a similar sequence feature is easily determined by inspection of the sequence or hydropathy plots. SEQ ID NOs: 37-40 are representative of variant CD163 proteins which do not contain a transmembrane domain and their encoding nucleic acids.

As used hereinafter, “polynucleotide” generally refers to any polyribonucleotide or polydeoxyribonucleotide, which may be unmodified RNA or DNA or modified RNA or DNA. “Polynucleotides” include, without limitation, single- and double-stranded DNA, DNA that is a mixture of single- and double-stranded regions, single- and double-stranded RNA, RNA that is mixture of single- and double-stranded regions, and hybrid molecules comprising DNA and RNA that may be single-stranded or, more typically, double-stranded or a mixture of single- and double-stranded regions. In addition, “polynucleotide” refers to triple-stranded regions comprising RNA or DNA or both RNA and DNA. The term “polynucleotide” also includes DNAs or RNAs containing one or more modified bases and DNAs or RNAs with backbones modified for stability or for other reasons. “Modified” bases include, for example, tritylated bases and unusual bases such as inosine. A variety of modifications may be made to DNA and RNA; thus, “polynucleotide” embraces chemically, enzymatically or metabolically modified forms of polynucleotides as typically found in nature, as well as the chemical forms of DNA and RNA characteristic of viruses and cells. “Polynucleotide” also embraces relatively short polynucleotides, often referred to as oligonucleotides. Polynucleotide and nucleic acid are used synonymously herein.

As used hereinafter, “polypeptide” refers to any peptide or protein comprising amino acids joined to each other by peptide bonds or modified peptide bonds. “Polypeptide” refers to both short chains, commonly referred to as peptides, oligopeptides or oligomers, and to longer chains, generally referred to as proteins. Polypeptides may contain amino acids other than the 20 gene-encoded amino acids. “Polypeptides” include amino acid sequences modified either by natural processes, such as post-translational processing, or by chemical modification techniques which are well known in the art. Such modifications are well described in basic texts and in more detailed monographs, as well as in a voluminous research literature. Modifications may occur anywhere in a polypeptide, including the peptide backbone, the amino acid side-chains and the amino or carboxyl termini. It will be appreciated that the same type of modification may be present to the same or varying degrees at several sites in a given polypeptide. Also, a given polypeptide may contain many types of modifications. Polypeptides may be branched as a result of ubiquitination, and they may be cyclic, with or without branching. Cyclic, branched and branched cyclic polypeptides may result from post-translation natural processes or may be made by synthetic methods. Modifications or modified forms include acetylation, acylation, ADP-ribosylation, amidation, covalent attachment of flavin, covalent attachment of a heme moiety, covalent attachment of a nucleotide or nucleotide derivative, covalent attachment of a lipid or lipid derivative, covalent attachment of phosphotidylinositol, cross-linking, cyclization, disulfide bond formation, demethylation, formation of covalent cross-links, formation of cystine, formation of pyroglutamate, formylation, gamma-carboxylation, glycosylation, GPI anchor formation, hydroxylation, iodination, methylation, myristoylation, oxidation, proteolytic processing, phosphorylation prenylation, racemization, selenoylation, sulfation, transfer-RNA mediated addition of amino acids to proteins such as arginylation, and ubiquitination (see, for instance, Proteins-Structure and Molecular Properties, 2nd Ed., T. E. Creighton, W. H. Freeman and Company, New York, 1993; Wold, F., Post-translational Protein Modifications: Perspectives and Prospects, pgs. 1-12 in Postranslational Covalent Modification of Proteins, B. C. Johnson, Ed., Academic Press, New York, 1983; Seifter et al., “Analysis for protein modifications and nonprotein cofactors”, Meth Enzymol (1990) 182:626-646 and Rattan et al., “Protein Synthesis: Post-translational Modifications and Aging”, Ann NY Acad Sci (1992) 663:4842).

A “fragment” of a polypeptide as used herein means a segment of at least about 25 consecutive amino acids of a polypeptide of the invention. In another embodiment, a “fragment” as used herein means a segment of at least about 50 consecutive amino acids of a polypeptide of the invention. In another embodiment, a “fragment” as used herein means a segment of at least about 100 consecutive amino acids of a polypeptide of the invention.

As used hereinafter, “isolated” means altered by the hand of man from the natural state. If an “isolated” composition or substance occurs in nature, it has been changed or removed from its original environment, or both. For example, a polynucleotide or a polypeptide naturally present in a living animal is not “isolated,” but the same polynucleotide or polypeptide separated from the coexisting materials of its natural state is “isolated”, as the term is employed herein. Therefore “isolated” as used herein and as understood in the art, whether referring to “isolated” polynucleotides or polypeptides, is taken to mean separated from the original cellular environment in which the polypeptide or nucleic acid is normally found. As used herein therefore, by way of example only, a transgenic animal or a recombinant cell line constructed with a polynucleotide of the invention makes use of the “isolated” nucleic acid. Specifically excluded from the definition of isolated polynucleotides of the invention are entire isolated chromosomes from native host cells from which the polynucleotide was originally derived.

In the disclosure to follow we will often make use of the term “identity” or similarity as applied to the amino acid sequences of polypeptides. Percent amino acid sequence “identity” with respect to polypeptides is defined herein as the percentage of amino acid residues in the candidate sequence that are identical with the residues in the target sequences after aligning both sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent sequence identity, and not considering any conservative substitutions as part of the sequence identity. Percent sequence identity is determined by conventional methods. For example, BLASTP 2.2.6 [Tatusova TA and TL Madden, “BLAST 2 sequences—a new tool for comparing protein and nucleotide sequences.” (1999) FEMS Microbiol Lett. 174:247-250.]

Briefly, as noted above, two amino acid sequences are aligned to optimize the alignment scores using a gap opening penalty of 10, a gap extension penalty of 0.1, and the “blosum62” scoring matrix of Henikoff and Henikoff (Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 89:10915-10919. 1992).

The percent identity is then calculated as:

$\frac{{Total}\mspace{14mu} {number}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {identical}\mspace{14mu} {matches}}{\begin{bmatrix} \begin{matrix} {{{length}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {the}\mspace{14mu} {longer}{\mspace{11mu} \;}{sequence}} + {{number}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {gaps}}} \\ {{introduced}\mspace{14mu} {into}{\mspace{11mu} \;}{the}\mspace{14mu} {longer}\mspace{14mu} {sequence}\mspace{14mu} {to}} \end{matrix} \\ {{align}\mspace{14mu} {the}{\mspace{11mu} \;}{two}\mspace{14mu} {sequences}} \end{bmatrix}} \times 100$

Percent sequence “similarity” (often referred to as “homology”) with respect to a polypeptide of the invention is defined herein as the percentage of amino acid residues in the candidate sequence that are identical with the residues in the target sequences after aligning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent sequence identity (as described above), and also considering any conservative substitutions as part of the sequence identity.

$\frac{\begin{matrix} {{Total}\mspace{14mu} {number}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {identical}\mspace{14mu} {matches}} \\ {{and}\mspace{14mu} {conservative}\mspace{14mu} {substitutions}} \end{matrix}}{\begin{bmatrix} \begin{matrix} {{{length}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {the}\mspace{14mu} {longer}{\mspace{11mu} \;}{sequence}} + {{number}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {gaps}}} \\ {{introduced}\mspace{14mu} {into}{\mspace{11mu} \;}{the}\mspace{14mu} {longer}\mspace{14mu} {sequence}\mspace{14mu} {to}} \end{matrix} \\ {{align}\mspace{14mu} {the}{\mspace{11mu} \;}{two}\mspace{14mu} {sequences}} \end{bmatrix}} \times 100$

Amino acids can be classified according to physical properties and contribution to secondary and tertiary protein structure. A conservative substitution is recognized in the art as a substitution of one amino acid for another amino acid that has similar properties.

Exemplary conservative substitutions are set out in Tables 1, 2, and 3 below.

TABLE 1 Conservative Substitutions I SIDE CHAIN CHARACTERISTIC AMINO ACID Aliphatic Non-polar G A P I L V Polar - uncharged C S T M N Q Polar - charged D E K R Aromatic H F W Y Other N Q D E

Alternatively, conservative amino acids can be grouped as described in Lehninger, [Biochemistry, Second Edition; Worth Publishers, Inc. NY:NY (1975), pp. 71-77] as set out in Table 2, immediately below

TABLE 2 Conservative Substitutions II SIDE CHAIN CHARACTERISTIC AMINO ACID Non-polar (hydrophobic) A. Aliphatic: A L I V P B. Aromatic: F W C. Sulfur-containing: M D. Borderline: G Uncharged-polar A. Hydroxyl: S T Y B. Amides: N Q C. Sulfhydryl: C D. Borderline: G Positively Charged (Basic): K R H Negatively Charged (Acidic): D E

As still another alternative, exemplary conservative substitutions are set out in Table 3, immediately below.

TABLE 3 Conservative Substitutions III Original Residue Exemplary Substitution Ala (A) Val, Leu, Ile Arg (R) Lys, Gln, Asn Asn (N) Gln, His, Lys, Arg Asp (D) Glu Cys (C) Ser Gln (Q) Asn Glu (E) Asp His (H) Asn, Gln, Lys, Arg Ile (I) Leu, Val, Met, Ala, Phe, Leu (L) Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe Lys (K) Arg, Gln, Asn Met (M) Leu, Phe, Ile Phe (F) Leu, Val, Ile, Ala Pro (P) Gly Ser (S) Thr Thr (T) Ser Trp (W) Tyr Tyr (Y) Trp, Phe, Thr, Ser Val (V) Ile, Leu, Met, Phe, Ala

Methods Directed to the Production of Virus and Host Cells of the Invention

The invention provides a method of modifying production of a virus that is a member of the family Arteriviridae and Asfarviridae in a cell comprising the step of directing said cell to express a CD163 polypeptide. This may include rendering a virus non-permissive cell into a virus permissive cell, or may involve rendering a cell more permissive to the virus.

In one embodiment, the virus that is a member of the family Arteriviridae or Asfarviridae is selected from the group consisting of LDV of mice, equine arteritis virus (EAV), simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV), PRRSV of swine, and ASFV of swine.

In a preferred embodiment the virus is PPRSV.

The invention further provides a method of preparing a culture of a virus that is a member of the family Arteriviridae or Asfarviridae comprising the steps of providing a cell line; directing said cell line to express a CD163 polypeptide; infecting said cell line with virus; and causing said cell line to produce viral progeny.

In one embodiment, the virus that is a member of the family Arteriviridae is selected from the group consisting of LDV of mice, equine arteritis virus (EAV), simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV), PRRSV of swine and ASFV of swine.

In a preferred embodiment the virus is PRRSV.

All of the above methods utilize cells and cell lines expressing a CD163 polypeptide. Expression of CD163 may be facilitated or increased by methods that involve the introduction of exogenous nucleic acid into the cell. Such a cell may comprise a polynucleotide or vector in a manner that permits expression of an encoded CD163 polypeptide.

Polynucleotides that encode CD163 may be introduced into the host cell as part of a circular plasmid, or as linear DNA comprising an isolated protein-coding region, or in a viral vector. Methods for introducing exogenous nucleic acid into the host cell are well known and routinely practiced in the art, including transformation, transfection, electroporation, nuclear injection, or fusion with carriers such as liposomes, micelles, ghost cells, and protoplasts. Host cell systems of the invention include invertebrate and vertebrate cells systems. Hosts may include, but are not limited to, the following: insect cells, porcine kidney (PK) cells, feline kidney (FK) cells, swine testicular (ST) cells, African green monkey kidney cells (MA-104, MARC-145, VERO, and COS cells), Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, baby hampster kidney cells, human 293 cells, and murine 3T3 fibroblasts. Insect host cell culture systems may also be used for the expression of CD163 polypeptides. In another embodiment, the CD163 polypeptides are expressed using a drosophila expression system.

The choice of a suitable expression vector for expression of the CD163 polypeptides will of course depend upon the specific host cell to be used, and is within the skill of the ordinary artisan. Examples of suitable expression vectors include pSport and pcDNA3 (Invitrogen), pCMV-Script (Stratagene), and pSVL (Pharmacia Biotech). Expression vectors for use in mammalian host cells may include transcriptional and translational control sequences derived from viral genomes. Commonly used promoter sequences and modifier sequences which may be used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, those derived from human cytomegalovirus (CMV), Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), Adenovirus 2, Polyoma virus, and Simian virus 40 (SV40). Methods for the construction of mammalian expression vectors are disclosed, for example, in Okayama and Berg (Mol. Cell. Biol. 3:280 (1983)); Cosman et al. (Mol. Immunol. 23:935 (1986)); Cosman et al. (Nature 312:768 (1984)); EP-A-0367566; and WO 91/18982.

Because CD163 sequences are known to exist in cells from various species, the endogenous gene may be modified to permit, or increase, expression of the CD163 polypeptide. Cells can be modified (e.g., by homologous recombination) to provide increased expression by replacing, in whole or in part, the naturally occurring CD163 promoter with all or part of a heterologous promoter, so that the cells express CD163 polypeptide at higher levels. The heterologous promoter is inserted in such a manner that it is operatively linked to endogenous CD163 encoding sequences. [See, for example, PCT International Publication No. WO 94/12650, PCT International Publication No. WO 92/20808, and PCT International Publication No. WO 91/09955.] It is also contemplated that, in addition to heterologous promoter DNA, amplifiable marker DNA (e.g., ada, dhfr, and the multifunctional cad gene, which encodes for carbamyl phosphate synthase, aspartate transcarbamylase, and dihydroorotase) and/or intron DNA may be inserted along with the heterologous promoter DNA. If linked to the CD163 coding sequence, amplification of the marker DNA by standard selection methods results in co-amplification of the CD163 coding sequences in the cells.

CD163 expression may also be induced by chemical treatment. Phorbol esters, especially phorbol myristyl acetate (PMA), activate one or more isozymes of the ubiquitous membrane receptor, protein kinase C (PKC) and are particularly preferred means of increasing CD163 expression. Other methods of intracellular calcium mobilization are also contemplated.

Vaccine Production

The methods described above may be used to produce any virus that is a member of the family Arteriviridae or Asfarviridae for the purpose of vaccine production or diagnostics.

In one embodiment the virus that is a member of the family Arteriviridae is selected from the group consisting of LDV of mice, equine arteritis virus (EAV), simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV), and PRRSV of swine.

In a preferred embodiment the virus is PRRSV.

Vaccine Production

The methods described above may be used to produce virus for the purpose of vaccine production or diagnostics.

Killed (inactivated) or live vaccines can be produced. Therefore, to make a live vaccine, a viral isolate, or an attenuated or mutated variant thereof, is grown in cell culture. The virus is harvested according to methods well known in the art. The virus may then be concentrated, frozen, and stored at −70° C., or freeze-dried and stored at 4° C. Prior to vaccination the virus is mixed at an appropriate dosage, (which is from about 10³ to 10⁸ tissue culture infectious doses per ml (TCID₅₀/ml)), with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier such as a saline solution, and optionally an adjuvant.

The vaccine produced might also comprise an inactivated or killed virus comprising a virus grown by the methods of the invention. The inactivated vaccine is made by methods well known in the art. For example, once the virus is propagated to high titers, it would be readily apparent by those skilled in the art that the virus antigenic mass could be obtained by methods well known in the art. For example, the virus antigenic mass may be obtained by dilution, concentration, or extraction. All of these methods have been employed to obtain appropriate viral antigenic mass to produce vaccines. The virus is then inactivated by treatment with formalin, betapropriolactone (BPL), binary ethyleneimine (BEI), or other methods known to those skilled in the art. The inactivated virus is then mixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier such as a saline solution, and optionally an adjuvant. Examples of adjuvants include, but not limited to, aluminum hydroxide, oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions, AMPHIGEN, saponins such as QuilA, and polypeptide adjuvants including interleukins, interferons, and other cytokines.

Inactivation by formalin is performed by mixing the viral suspension with 37% formaldehyde to a final formaldehyde concentration of 0.05%. The virus-formaldehyde mixture is mixed by constant stirring for approximately 24 hours at room temperature. The inactivated virus mixture is then tested for residual live virus by assaying for growth on a suitable cell line.

Inactivation by BEI is performed by mixing the viral suspension of the present invention with 0.1 M BEI (2-bromo-ethylamine in 0.175 N NaOH) to a final BEI concentration of 1 mM. The virus-BEI mixture is mixed by constant stirring for approximately 48 hours at room temperature, followed by the addition of 1.0 M sodium thiosulfate to a final concentration of 0.1 mM. Mixing is continued for an additional two hours. The inactivated virus mixture is tested for residual live virus by assaying for growth on a suitable cell line.

Virus permissive cells that have been directed to express CD163 can also be used to quantify live virus. Two common methods, which are well known to those skilled in the art, are the plaque assay and the limiting dilution assay.

CD163-expressing cell lines of the present invention can be used to grow virus for the purpose of producing viral antigen for diagnostic kits. For example lysates from infected cells (with optional purification of viral particles or extraction of selected viral proteins) may be coated on ELISA plates in order to detect and quantify antibodies to the virus in swine sera.

Live or inactivated virus grown in CD163-expressing cells can be used after optional separation of the viral proteins to immunize animals in order to generate polyclonal, monospecific or monoclonal antibodies. These in turn can be used as the basis of diagnostic assays for the detection and quantification of virus in swine serum and other biological samples.

Assays of the Invention

The invention provides methods for determining the propensity of an animal to be infected by a virus that is a member of the family Arteriviridae or Asfarviridae, or of a cell line to support the replication of a virus that is a member of the family Arteriviridae or Asfarviridae. Samples from either source are obtained and assayed for expression of CD163. The level of CD163 gene expression can be compared with levels of controls known not to support replication of the virus, where an increased amount of CD163 gene expression relative to levels from the controls indicates a greater propensity of the non-control to be infected by said virus.

In the case of an animal, samples can be any sample comprising sample nucleic acid molecules or proteins, and obtained from any bodily tissue expressing CD163, including, but not limited to, alveolar macrophages, cultured cells, biopsies, or other tissue preparations. The level of expression can be assessed at the level of genomic DNA, messenger RNA, and/or protein produced. In a preferred embodiment the member of the virus of the family Arteriviridae or Asfarviridae is selected from the group consisting of LDV of mice, equine arteritis virus (EAV), simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV), PRRSV of swine, and ASFV of swine.

Nucleic Acid Based Assays

Methods of determining CD163 levels may be nucleic acid based as noted above. CD163-derived nucleic acids may be in solution or on a solid support. In some embodiments, they may be employed as array elements in microarrays alone or in combination with other array element molecules. Nucleic acid based methods generally require the isolation of DNA or RNA from the sample and subsequent hybridization or PCR amplification using specific primers derived from any known CD163 encoding sequences in the art or those specifically disclosed as SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 5, 12, 13, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, and 47. DNA or RNA can be isolated from the sample according to any of a number of methods well known to those of skill in the art. For example, methods of purification of nucleic acids are described in Tijssen, P. (1993) Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Hybridization With Nucleic Acid Probes, Part I. Theory and Nucleic Acid Preparation, Elsevier, New York, N.Y. In one preferred embodiment, total RNA is isolated using the TRIZOL total RNA isolation reagent (Life Technologies, Inc., Gaithersburg Md.) and mRNA is isolated using oligo d(T) column chromatography or glass beads. When sample nucleic acid molecules are amplified it is desirable to amplify the sample nucleic acid molecules and maintain the relative abundances of the original sample, including low abundance transcripts. RNA can be amplified in vitro, in situ, or in vivo (See Eberwine U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,545).

It is also advantageous to include controls within the sample to assure that amplification and labeling procedures do not change the true distribution of nucleic acid molecules in a sample. For this purpose, a sample is spiked with an amount of a control nucleic acid molecule predetermined to be detectable upon hybridization to its complementary arrayed nucleic acid molecule and the composition of nucleic acid molecules includes reference nucleic acid molecules which specifically hybridize with the control arrayed nucleic acid molecules. After hybridization and processing, the hybridization signals obtained should reflect accurately the amounts of control arrayed nucleic acid molecules added to the sample.

Prior to hybridization, it may be desirable to fragment the sample nucleic acid molecules. Fragmentation improves hybridization by minimizing secondary structure and cross-hybridization to other sample nucleic acid molecules in the sample or noncomplementary nucleic acid molecules. Fragmentation can be performed by mechanical or chemical means.

Labeling

The sample nucleic acid molecules or probes may be labeled with one or more labeling moieties to allow for detection of hybridized arrayed/sample nucleic acid molecule complexes. The labeling moieties can include compositions that can be detected by spectroscopic, photochemical, biochemical, bioelectronic, immunochemical, electrical, optical, or chemical means. The labeling moieties include radioisotopes, such as (32)P, (33)P or (35)S, chemiluminescent compounds, labeled binding proteins, heavy metal atoms, spectroscopic markers, such as fluorescent markers and dyes, magnetic labels, linked enzymes, mass spectrometry tags, spin labels, electron transfer donors and acceptors, and the like. Preferred fluorescent markers include Cy3 and Cy5 fluorophores (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Piscataway N.J.).

Hybridization

The nucleic acid molecule sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 5, 12, 13, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, and 47 or other CD163 encoding sequences in the art and fragments thereof can be used in various hybridization technologies for various purposes. Hybridization probes may be designed or derived from any mammalian CD163 sequence but may make use of those sequences disclosed in SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 5, 12, 13, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, and 47. Such probes may be made from a highly specific region or from a conserved motif, and used in protocols to quantify CD163 message, allelic variants, or related sequences. The hybridization probes of the subject invention may be DNA or RNA and may be derived from any mammalian CD163 sequence known in the art or from those sequences disclosed herein as SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 5, 12, 13, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, and 47 or from genomic sequences including promoters, enhancers, and introns of the mammalian gene. Hybridization or PCR probes may be produced using oligolabeling, nick translation, end-labeling, or PCR amplification in the presence of the labeled nucleotide. A vector containing the nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce an mRNA probe in vitro by addition of an RNA polymerase and labeled nucleic acid molecules. These procedures may be conducted using commercially available kits such as those provided by Amersham Pharmacia Biotech.

The stringency of hybridization is determined by the G+C content of the probe, salt concentration, and temperature. In particular, stringency can be increased by reducing the concentration of salt or raising the hybridization temperature. In solutions used for some membrane-based hybridizations, additions of an organic solvent such as formamide allows the reaction to occur at a lower temperature. Hybridization can be performed at low stringency with buffers, such as 5× saline sodium citrate (SSC) with 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at 60° C., which permits the formation of a hybridization complex between nucleotide sequences that contain some mismatches. Subsequent washes are performed at higher stringency with buffers such as 0.2×SSC with 0.1% SDS at either 45° C. (medium stringency) or 68° C. (high stringency). At high stringency, hybridization complexes will remain stable only where the nucleic acid sequences are almost completely complementary. In some membrane-based hybridizations, preferably 35% or most preferably 50%, formamide can be added to the hybridization solution to reduce the temperature at which hybridization is performed, and background signals can be reduced by the use of other detergents such as Sarkosyl or Triton X-100 and a blocking agent such as salmon sperm DNA. Selection of components and conditions for hybridization are well known to those skilled in the art and are reviewed in Ausubel (supra) and Sambrook et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Plainview N.Y.

Exemplary highly stringent hybridization conditions are as follows: hybridization at 42° C. in a hybridization solution comprising 50% formamide, 1% SDS, 1M NaCl, 10% Dextran sulfate, and washing twice for 30 minutes at 60° C. in a wash solution comprising 0.1×SSC and 1% SDS. It is understood in the art that conditions of equivalent stringency can be achieved through variation of temperature and buffer, or salt concentration as described in Ausubel, et al. (Eds.), Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons (1994), pp. 6.0.3 to 6.4.10. Modifications in hybridization conditions can be empirically determined or precisely calculated based on the length and the percentage of guanosine/cytosine (GC) base pairing of the probe. The hybridization conditions can be calculated as described in Sambrook, et al., (Eds.), Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press: Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989), pp. 9.47 to 9.51.

Hybridization specificity can be evaluated by comparing the hybridization of specificity-control nucleic acid molecules to specificity-control sample nucleic acid molecules that are added to a sample in a known amount. The specificity-control arrayed nucleic acid molecules may have one or more sequence mismatches compared with the corresponding arrayed nucleic acid molecules. In this manner, it is possible to determine whether only complementary arrayed nucleic acid molecules are hybridizing to the sample nucleic acid molecules or whether mismatched hybrid duplexes are forming is determined.

Hybridization reactions can be performed in absolute or differential hybridization formats. In the absolute hybridization format, nucleic acid molecules from one sample are hybridized to the molecules in a microarray format and signals detected after hybridization complex formation correlate to nucleic acid molecule levels in a sample. In the differential hybridization format, the differential expression of a set of genes in two biological samples is analyzed. For differential hybridization, nucleic acid molecules from both biological samples are prepared and labeled with different labeling moieties. A mixture of the two labeled nucleic acid molecules is added to a microarray. The microarray is then examined under conditions in which the emissions from the two different labels are individually detectable. Molecules in the microarray that are hybridized to substantially equal numbers of nucleic acid molecules derived from both biological samples give a distinct combined fluorescence (Shalon et al.; PCT publication WO95/35505). In a preferred embodiment, the labels are fluorescent markers with distinguishable emission spectra, such as Cy3 and Cy5 fluorophores.

After hybridization, the microarray is washed to remove nonhybridized nucleic acid molecules and complex formation between the hybridizable array elements and the nucleic acid molecules is detected. Methods for detecting complex formation are well known to those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecules are labeled with a fluorescent label and measurement of levels and patterns of fluorescence indicative of complex formation is accomplished by fluorescence microscopy, preferably confocal fluorescence microscopy.

In a differential hybridization experiment, nucleic acid molecules from two or more different biological samples are labeled with two or more different fluorescent labels with different emission wavelengths. Fluorescent signals are detected separately with different photomultipliers set to detect specific wavelengths. The relative abundances/expression levels of the nucleic acid molecules in two or more samples are obtained.

Typically, microarray fluorescence intensities can be normalized to take into account variations in hybridization intensities when more than one microarray is used under similar test conditions. In a preferred embodiment, individual arrayed-sample nucleic acid molecule complex hybridization intensities are normalized using the intensities derived from internal normalization controls contained on each microarray.

Polypeptide Based Assays

The present invention provides methods and reagents for detecting and quantifying CD163 polypeptides. These methods include analytical biochemical methods such as electrophoresis, mass spectroscopy, chromatographic methods and the like, or various immunological methods such as radioimmunoassay (RIA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), immunofluorescent assays, western blotting, affinity capture mass spectrometry, biological activity, and others described below and apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this disclosure.

Immunoassays

The present invention also provides methods for detection of CD163 polypeptides employing one or more anti-CD163 antibody reagents (i.e., immunoassays). As used herein, an immunoassay is an assay that utilizes an antibody (as broadly defined herein and specifically includes fragments, chimeras and other binding agents) that specifically binds a CD163 polypeptide or epitope.

A number of well-established immunological binding assay formats suitable for the practice of the invention are known (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,366,241; 4,376,110; 4,517,288; and 4,837,168). See, e.g., Methods in Cell Biology Volume 37: Antibodies in Cell Biology, Asai, ed. Academic Press, Inc. New York (1993); Basic and Clinical Immunology 7th Edition, Stites & Ten, eds. (1991); Harlow and Lane, supra [e.g., Chapter 14], and Ausubel et al., supra, [e.g., Chapter 11]. Typically, immunological binding assays (or immunoassays) utilize a “capture agent” to specifically bind to and, often, immobilize the analyte to a solid phase. In one embodiment, the capture agent is a moiety that specifically binds to a CD163 polypeptide or subsequence, such as an anti-CD163 antibody.

Usually the CD163 gene product being assayed is detected directly or indirectly using a detectable label. The particular label or detectable group used in the assay is usually not a critical aspect of the invention, so long as it does not significantly interfere with the specific binding of the antibody or antibodies used in the assay. The label may be covalently attached to the capture agent (e.g., an anti-CD163 antibody), or may be attached to a third moiety, such as another antibody, that specifically binds to the CD163 polypeptide.

The present invention provides methods and reagents for competitive and noncompetitive immunoassays for detecting CD163 polypeptides. Noncompetitive immunoassays are assays in which the amount of captured analyte (in this case CD163) is directly measured. One such assay is a two-site, monoclonal-based immunoassay utilizing monoclonal antibodies reactive to two non-interfering epitopes on the CD163 polypeptide. See, e.g., Maddox et al., 1983, J. Exp. Med., 158:1211 for background information. In one “sandwich” assay, the capture agent (e.g., an anti-CD163 antibody) is bound directly to a solid substrate where it is immobilized. These immobilized antibodies then capture any CD163 polypeptide present in the test sample. The CD163 polypeptide thus immobilized can then be labeled, e.g., by binding to a second anti-CD163 antibody bearing a label. Alternatively, the second CD163 antibody may lack a label, but be bound by a labeled third antibody specific to antibodies of the species from which the second antibody is derived. The second antibody alternatively can be modified with a detectable moiety, such as biotin, to which a third labeled molecule can specifically bind, such as enzyme-labeled streptavidin.

In competitive assays, the amount of CD163 polypeptide present in the sample is measured indirectly by measuring the amount of an added (exogenous) CD163 polypeptide displaced (or competed away) from a capture agent (e.g., CD163 antibody) by the CD163 polypeptide present in the sample. A hapten inhibition assay is another example of a competitive assay. In this assay CD163 polypeptide is immobilized on a solid substrate. A known amount of CD163 antibody is added to the sample, and the sample is then contacted with the immobilized CD163 polypeptide. In this case, the amount of anti-CD163 antibody bound to the immobilized CD163 polypeptide is inversely proportional to the amount of CD163 polypeptide present in the sample. The amount of immobilized antibody may be detected by detecting either the immobilized fraction of antibody or the fraction of the antibody that remains in solution. In this aspect, detection may be direct, where the antibody is labeled, or indirect where the label is bound to a molecule that specifically binds to the antibody as described above.

Other Antibody-Based Assay Formats

The invention also provides reagents and methods for detecting and quantifying the presence of CD163 polypeptide in the sample by using an immunoblot (Western blot) format. Another immunoassay is the so-called “lateral flow chromatography.” In a non-competitive version of lateral flow chromatography, a sample moves across a substrate by, e.g., capillary action, and encounters a mobile-labeled antibody that binds the analyte forming a conjugate. The conjugate then moves across the substrate and encounters an immobilized second antibody that binds the analyte. Thus, immobilized analyte is detected by detecting the labeled antibody. In a competitive version of lateral flow chromatography a labeled version of the analyte moves across the carrier and competes with unlabeled analyte for binding with the immobilized antibody. The greater the amount of the analyte in the sample, the less the binding by labeled analyte and, therefore, the weaker the signal. See, e.g., May et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,871; and Rosenstein, U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,645.

Depending upon the assay, various components, including the antigen, target antibody, or anti-cathepsin S antibody, may be bound to a solid surface or support (i.e., a substrate, membrane, or filter paper). Many methods for immobilizing biomolecules to a variety of solid surfaces are known in the art. For instance, the solid surface may be a membrane (e.g., nitrocellulose), a microliter dish (e.g., PVC, polypropylene, or polystyrene), a test tube (glass or plastic), a dipstick (e.g. glass, PVC, polypropylene, polystyrene, latex, and the like), a microcentrifuge tube, or a glass or plastic bead. The desired component may be covalently bound or noncovalently attached through nonspecific bonding.

A wide variety of organic and inorganic polymers, both natural and synthetic may be employed as the material for the solid surface. Illustrative polymers include polyethylene, polypropylene, poly (4-methylbutene), polystyrene, polymethacrylate, poly(ethylene terephthalate), rayon, nylon, poly(vinylbutyrate), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), silicones, polyformaldehyde, cellulose, cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose, and the like. Other materials that may be employed, include paper, glasses, ceramics, metals, metalloids, semiconductive materials, cements or the like. In addition, substances that form gels, such as proteins (e.g., gelatins), lipopolysaccharides, silicates, agarose and polyacrylamides can be used. Polymers that form several aqueous phases, such as dextrans, polyalkylene glycols or surfactants, such as phospholipids, long chain (12-24 carbon atoms) alkyl ammonium salts and the like are also suitable. Where the solid surface is porous, various pore sizes may be employed depending upon the nature of the system.

Mass Spectrometry

The mass of a molecule frequently can be used as an identifier of the molecule. Therefore, methods of mass spectrometry can be used to identify a protein analyte. Mass spectrometers can measure mass by determining the time required for an ionized analyte to travel down a flight tube and to be detected by an ion detector. One method of mass spectrometry for proteins is matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (“MALDI”). In MALDI the analyte is mixed with an energy absorbing matrix material that absorbs energy of the wavelength of a laser and placed on the surface of a probe. Upon striking the matrix with the laser, the analyte is desorbed from the probe surface, ionized, and detected by the ion detector. See, for example, Hillenkamp et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,937.

Other methods of mass spectrometry for proteins are described in Hutchens and Yip, U.S. Pat. No. 5,719,060. In one such method referred to as Surfaces Enhanced for Affinity Capture (“SEAC”) a solid phase affinity reagent that binds the analyte specifically or non-specifically, such as an antibody or a metal ion, is used to separate the analyte from other materials in a sample. Then the captured analyte is desorbed from the solid phase by, e.g., laser energy, ionized, and detected by the detector.

Nucleic Acids of the Invention

The examples below disclose our discovery of several novel CD163 polynucleotides. The invention includes these novel CD163 polynucleotides. The present invention provides several isolated novel polynucleotides (e.g., DNA sequences and RNA transcripts, both sense and complementary antisense strands, both single and double-stranded, including splice variants thereof, which encode novel CD163 polypeptides. We report herein isolated novel polynucleotides which encode porcine, murine, human, canine, and african green monkey CD163 polypeptides and which comprise the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1, 5, 12, 13, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, and 47.

It should be recognized that by disclosing SEQ ID NOs: 1, 5, 12, 13, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, and 47 it provides one skilled in the art a multitude of methods of obtaining these sequences. By way of example, it would be possible to generate probes from the sequences disclosed in SEQ ID NOs: 1, 5, 12, 13, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, and 47 and screen porcine, murine, human, canine, and african green monkey cDNA or genomic libraries and thereby obtain the entire sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 5, 12, 13, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45 and 47, or its genomic equivalent. Sambrook, et al., (Eds.), Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press: Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989). Also by way of example, one skilled in the art would immediately recognize that given the sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, 5, 12, 13, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, and 47 it is then possible to generate the appropriate primers for PCR amplification to obtain the entire sequence represented by these sequences. (See e.g., PCR Technology, H. A. Erlich, ed., Stockton Press, New York, 1989; PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications, M. A. Innis, David H. Gelfand, John J. Sninsky, and Thomas J. White, eds., Academic Press, Inc., New York, 1990.)

DNA polynucleotides of the invention include cDNA, and DNA that has been chemically synthesized in whole or in part and is also intended to include allelic variants thereof. Allelic variants are modified forms of a wild type gene sequence, the modification resulting from recombination during chromosomal segregation, or exposure to conditions which give rise to genetic mutation. Allelic variants, like wild type genes, are naturally occurring sequences (as opposed to non-naturally occurring variants which arise from in vitro manipulation).

DNA sequences encoding the novel CD163 polypeptides are set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1, 5, 12, 13, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, and 47. The worker of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the DNA of the invention comprises a double stranded molecule, for example the molecule having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, 5, 12, 13, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, and 47 along with the complementary molecule (the “non-coding strand” or “complement”) having a sequence deducible from the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 5, 12, 13, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, and 47 according to Watson-Crick base pairing rules for DNA. Also contemplated by the invention are other polynucleotides encoding for the porcine, murine, and african green monkey CD163 polypeptides of SEQ ID NOS: 2, 14, 24, 27, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48 which differ in sequence from the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 5, 12, 13, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, and 47 by virtue of the well-known degeneracy of the universal genetic code, as is well known in the art. The present invention, therefore, contemplates those other DNA and RNA molecules that, on expression, encode the polypeptides of SEQ ID NO: 2, 14, 24, 27, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48. Having identified the amino acid residue sequence encoded the porcine CD163 polypeptide, and with the knowledge of all triplet codons for each particular amino acid residue, it is possible to describe all such encoding RNA and DNA sequences. DNA and RNA molecules other than those specifically disclosed herein characterized simply by a change in a codon for a particular amino acid, are, therefore, within the scope of this invention.

A table of amino acids and their representative abbreviations, symbols and codons is set forth below in the following Table 4.

TABLE 4 Amino acid Abbrev. Symbol Codon(s) Alanine Ala A GCA GCC GCG GCU Cysteine Cys C UGC UGU Aspartic acid Asp D GAC GAU Glutamic acid Glu E GAA GAG Phenylalanine Phe F UUC UUU Glycine Gly G GGA GGC GGG GGU Histidine His H CAC CAU Isoleucine Ile I AUA AUC AUU Lysine Lys K AAA AAG Leucine Leu L UUA UUG CUA CUC CUG CUU Methionine Met M AUG Asparagine Asn N AAC AAU Proline Pro P CCA CCC CCG CCU Glutamine Gln Q CAA CAG Arginine Arg R AGA AGG CGA CGC CGG CGU Serine Ser S AGC AGU UCA UCC UCG UCU Threonine Thr T ACA ACC ACG ACU Valine Val V GUA GUC GUG GUU Tryptophan Trp W UGG Tyrosine Tyr Y UAC UAU

As is well known in the art, codons constitute triplet sequences of nucleotides in mRNA and their corresponding cDNA molecules. Codons are characterized by the base uracil (U) when present in an mRNA molecule but are characterized by the base thymidine (T) when present in DNA. A simple change in a codon for the same amino acid residue within a polynucleotide will not change the sequence or structure of the encoded polypeptide. It is apparent that when a phrase stating that a particular 3 nucleotide sequence “encode(s)” any particular amino acid, the ordinarily skilled artisan would recognize that the table above provides a means of identifying the particular nucleotides at issue. By way of example, if a particular three-nucleotide sequence encodes theonine the table above discloses that the posible triplet sequences are ACA, ACG, ACC, and ACU (ACT if in DNA).

The invention includes therefore, an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a susCD163v1 polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 5; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a susCD163v2 polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 12 or 13; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 14; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 14; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a susCD163v2 polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 17 or 18; (b) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 19; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a) or (b).

The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a CD63v2 polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 22 or 23; (b) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 24; (c) a polynucleotide that is the complement of (a) or (b).

The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a CD163v3 polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 25 or 26; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 27; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a CD163v2 polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 30 or 31; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 98% or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 32; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 32; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 33; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 34; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 34; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 35; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 36; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 36; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 37; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 38 (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 38; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 39; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 40; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 40; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 41; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 42; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 44; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 45; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 46; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

(a) a polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 47; (b) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that has at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 49; (d) a polynucleotide that is the complement of any of (a), (b), or (c).

The polynucleotide sequence information provided by the invention makes possible large-scale expression of the encoded polypeptide by techniques well known and routinely practiced in the art. Polynucleotides of the invention also permit identification and isolation of polynucleotides encoding related porcine CD163v1 polypeptides, such as human allelic variants and species homologs, by well-known techniques including Southern and/or Northern hybridization, and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Knowledge of the sequence of any of the CD163 sequences disclosed herein also makes possible through use of Southern hybridization or polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the identification of genomic DNA sequences encoding CD163 regulatory sequences, such as promoters, operators, enhancers, repressors, and the like.

As noted in the section above entitled “Assays of the Invention” polynucleotides of the invention are also useful in hybridization assays to detect the capacity of cells to express CD163, or to measure levels of CD163 expression. Polynucleotides of the invention may also be the basis for diagnostic methods useful for determining the susceptibility of an animal to virus infection as described above.

The disclosure herein of the full-length polynucleotides encoding a CD163 polypeptide makes readily available to the worker of ordinary skill in the art fragments of the full length polynucleotide. The invention therefore provides unique fragments of the CD163 encoding polynucleotides comprising at least 15 through the length of the full-length sequence (including each and every integer value between) consecutive nucleotides of a polynucleotide encoding a CD163 disclosed herein. Because polynucleotides of the invention (including fragments) comprise sequences unique to the particular CD163-encoding polynucleotide sequence, they therefore would hybridize under highly stringent or moderately stringent conditions only (i.e., “specifically”) to polynucleotides encoding the various CD163 polypeptides. Sequences unique to polynucleotides of the invention are recognizable through sequence comparison to other known polynucleotides, and can be identified through use of alignment programs routinely utilized in the art, e.g., those made available in public sequence databases. Such sequences also are recognizable from Southern hybridization analyses to determine the number of fragments of genomic DNA to which a polynucleotide will hybridize. Polynucleotides of the invention can be labeled in a manner that permits their detection, including radioactive, fluorescent, and enzymatic labeling.

One or more unique fragment polynucleotides (or other CD163 polynucleotides as discussed above) can be included in kits that are used to detect the presence of a polynucleotide encoding for CD163, or used to detect variations in a polynucleotide sequence encoding for CD163. Also made available by the invention are anti-sense polynucleotides that recognize and hybridize to polynucleotides encoding CD163. Full length and fragment anti-sense polynucleotides are provided. Fragment anti-sense molecules of the invention include (i) those that specifically recognize and hybridize to the CD163 variants disclosed herein (as determined by sequence comparison of DNA encoding CD163s to DNA encoding other known molecules). Identification of sequences unique to the novel CD163-encoding polynucleotides can be deduced through the use of any publicly available sequence database, and/or through the use of commercially available sequence comparison programs. The uniqueness of selected sequences in an entire genome can be further verified by hybridization analyses. After identification of the desired sequences, isolation through restriction digestion or amplification using any of the various polymerase chain reaction techniques well known in the art can be performed. Anti-sense polynucleotides are particularly relevant to regulating expression of CD163 by those cells expressing CD163 mRNA.

Antisense nucleic acids (preferably 10 to 20 base pair oligonucleotides) capable of specifically binding to CD163 expression control sequences or CD163 RNA are introduced into cells (e.g., by a viral vector or colloidal dispersion system such as a liposome). The antisense nucleic acid binds to the porcine CD163 target nucleotide sequence in the cell and prevents transcription or translation of the target sequence. Phosphorothioate and methylphosphonate antisense oligonucleotides are specifically contemplated for therapeutic use by the invention. The antisense oligonucleotides may be further modified by poly-L-lysine, transferrin polylysine, or cholesterol moieties at their 5′ end. Suppression of porcine CD163 expression at either the transcriptional or translational level is useful to generate cellular or animal models for diseases characterized by aberrant porcine CD163 expression or as a therapeutic modality.

As noted above in more detail, the nucleic acids of the invention include vectors comprising a polynucleotide of the invention. Such vectors are useful, e.g., for amplifying the polynucleotides in host cells to create useful quantities thereof. In other embodiments, the vector is an expression vector wherein the polynucleotide of the invention is operatively linked to a polynucleotide comprising an expression control sequence. Such vectors are useful for recombinant production of polypeptides of the invention.

Also as noted above the invention provides host cells that are transformed or transfected (stably or transiently) with polynucleotides of the invention or vectors of the invention. As stated above, such host cells are useful for the production of virus and the production of vaccines.

The invention also provides isolated CD163 polypeptides encoded by a novel polynucleotide of the invention.

Polypeptides of the Invention

The examples disclose our discovery of several novel CD163 polypeptides. The invention includes these novel CD163 polypeptide which are set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 2, 14, 19, 24, 27, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48.

The invention includes therefore, an isolated polynucleotide comprising a susCD163v1 polypeptide with the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2.

The invention also includes a polypeptide that has at least 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2.

The invention includes therefore, an isolated polynucleotide comprising a susCD163v2 polypeptide with the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 14.

The invention also includes a polypeptide that has at least 99%, identity and/or similarity to a sus CD163v2 polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 14.

The invention also includes a CD163v2 polypeptide having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 24.

The invention also includes a CD163v3 polypeptide having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27.

The invention also includes a polypeptide having at least 96%, 97% 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27.

The invention also includes a polypeptide having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 32.

The invention also includes a polypeptide that has at least 98% or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 32.

The invention also includes a polypeptide having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 34.

The invention also includes a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 34.

The invention also includes a polypeptide having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 36.

The invention also includes a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 36.

The invention also includes a polypeptide having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 38.

The invention also includes a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 39.

The invention also includes a polypeptide having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 40.

The invention also includes a polypeptide that has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 40.

The invention also includes a polypeptide having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42.

The invention also includes a polypeptide that has at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42.

The invention also includes a polypeptide having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44.

The invention also includes a polypeptide that has at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44.

The invention also includes a polypeptide having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46.

The invention also includes a polypeptide that has at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46.

The invention also includes a polypeptide having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48.

The invention also includes a polypeptide that has at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity and/or similarity to a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48.

Polypeptides of the invention may be isolated from natural cell sources or may be chemically synthesized, but are preferably produced by recombinant procedures involving host cells of the invention. Use of mammalian host cells is expected to provide for such post-translational modifications (e.g., glycosylation, truncation, lipidation, and phosphorylation) as may be needed to confer optimal biological activity on recombinant expression products of the invention. Glycosylated and non-glycosylated forms of the novel CD163 polypeptides are embraced.

Overexpression in eukaryotic and prokaryotic hosts as described above facilitates the isolation of CD163 polypeptides. The invention therefore includes isolated CD163 polypeptides as set out in SEQ ID NOs: 2, 14, 19, 24, 27, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48 and variants and conservative amino acid substitutions therein including labeled and tagged polypeptides.

The invention includes novel CD163 polypeptides that are “labeled”. The term “labeled” is used herein to refer to the conjugating or covalent bonding of any suitable detectable group, including enzymes (e.g., horseradish peroxidase, beta-glucuronidase, alkaline phosphatase, and beta-D-galactosidase), fluorescent labels (e.g., fluorescein, luciferase), and radiolabels (e.g., ¹⁴C, ¹²⁵I, ³H, ³²P, and ³⁵S) to the compound being labeled. Techniques for labeling various compounds, including proteins, peptides, and antibodies, are well known. See, e.g., Morrison, Methods in Enzymology 32b, 103 (1974); Syvanen et al., J. Biol. Chem. 284, 3762 (1973); Bolton and Hunter, Biochem. J. 133, 529 (1973). The termed labeled may also encompass a polypeptide which has covalently attached an amino acid tag as discussed below.

In addition, the novel CD163 polypeptides of the invention may be indirectly labeled. This involves the covalent addition of a moiety to the polypeptide and subsequent coupling of the added moiety to a label or labeled compound that exhibits specific binding to the added moiety. Possibilities for indirect labeling include biotinylation of the peptide followed by binding to avidin coupled to one of the above label groups. Another example would be incubating a radiolabeled antibody specific for a histidine tag with a CD163s polypeptide comprising a polyhistidine tag. The net effect is to bind the radioactive antibody to the polypeptide because of the considerable affinity of the antibody for the tag.

The invention also embraces variants (or analogs) of the novel CD163 protein. In one example, insertion variants are provided wherein one or more amino acid residues supplement a novel CD163 amino acid sequence. Insertions may be located at either or both termini of the protein, or may be positioned within internal regions of the novel CD163 protein amino acid sequence. Insertional variants with additional residues at either or both termini can include for example, fusion proteins and proteins including amino acid tags or labels. Insertion variants include novel CD163 polypeptides wherein one or more amino acid residues are added to a CD163 acid sequence, or to a biologically active fragment thereof.

Insertional variants therefore can also include fusion proteins wherein the amino and/or carboxy termini of the novel CD163 polypeptide is fused to another polypeptide. Various tag polypeptides and their respective antibodies are well known in the art. Examples include poly-histidine (poly-his) or poly-histidine-glycine (poly-his-gly) tags; the influenza HA tag polypeptide and its antibody 12CA5 [Field et al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 8:2159-2165 (1988)]; the c-myc tag and the 8F9, 3C7, 6E10, G4, B7 and 9E10 antibodies thereto [Evan et al., Molecular and CellularBiology, 5:3610-3616 (1985)], and the Herpes Simplex virus glycoprotein D (gD) tag and its antibody [Paborsky et al., Protein Engineering, 3(6):547-553 (1990)]. Other tag polypeptides include the Flag-peptide [Hopp et al., BioTechnology, 6:1204-1210 (1988)]; the KT3 epitope peptide [Martin et al., Science, 255:192-194 (1992)]; an alpha-tubulin epitope peptide [Skinner et al., J. Biol. Chem., 266:15163-15166 (1991)]; and the T7 gene 10 protein peptide tag [Lutz-Freyermuth et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:6393-6397 (1990)]. In addition, the CD163 polypeptide can be tagged with enzymatic proteins such as peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase.

In another aspect, the invention provides deletion variants wherein one or more amino acid residues in a novel CD163 polypeptide is removed. Deletions can be effected at one or both termini of the novel CD163 polypeptide, or with removal of one or more residues within the novel CD163 amino acid sequence. Deletion variants, therefore, include all fragments of the novel CD163 polypeptide.

CD163 polypeptides contain a transmembrane or membrane anchor region. It should be recognized that such transmembrane domains are useful when expressed in the context of a heterologous protein to aid in the targeting of the heterologous protein to membranes. It should also be recognized that it may be advantageous to delete some transmembrane domains to enhance the purification or solubility of the protein. Transmembrane deleted variants of CD163 and polynucleotides encoding them are of potential value as antiviral therapeutics. Such variants are specifically disclosed here as SEQ ID NOs: 37-40.

The present invention also includes variants of the aforementioned polypeptides, that is, polypeptides that vary from the reference sequence by conservative amino acid substitutions,

Exemplary conservative substitutions are set out in Tables 1, 2 and 3 in the section above entitled “Definitions”.

In those situations where it is preferable to partially or completely isolate the novel CD163 polypeptides, purification can be accomplished using standard methods well known to the skilled artisan. Such methods include, without limitation, separation by electrophoresis followed by electroelution, various types of chromatography (immunoaffinity, molecular sieve, and/or ion exchange), and/or high pressure liquid chromatography. In some cases, it may be preferable to use more than one of these methods for complete purification.

Purification of novel CD163 polypeptides can be accomplished using a variety of techniques. If the polypeptide has been synthesized such that it contains a tag such as Hexahistidine (CD163/hexaHis) or other small peptide such as FLAG (Eastman Kodak Co., New Haven, Conn.) or myc (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) at either its carboxyl or amino terminus, it may essentially be purified in a one-step process by passing the solution through an affinity column where the column matrix has a high affinity for the tag or for the polypeptide directly (i.e., a monoclonal antibody specifically recognizing CD163). For example, polyhistidine binds with great affinity and specificity to nickel, thus an affinity column of nickel (such as the Qiagen Registered TM nickel columns) can be used for purification of CD163/polyHis. (See for example, Ausubel et al., eds., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Section 10.11.8, John Wiley & Sons, New York [1993]).

Even if the novel CD163 polypeptide is prepared without a label or tag to facilitate purification, the novel CD163 of the invention may be purified by immunoaffinity chromatography. To accomplish this, antibodies specific for CD163 polypeptides must be prepared by means well known in the art.

Antibodies generated against the novel CD163 polypeptides of the invention can be obtained by administering the polypeptides or epitope-bearing fragments, analogues, or cells to an animal, preferably a non-human, using routine protocols. For preparation of monoclonal antibodies, any technique known in the art that provides antibodies produced by continuous cell line cultures can be used. Examples include various techniques, such as those in Kohler, G. and Milstein, C., Nature 256: 495-497 (1975); Kozbor et al., Immunology Today 4: 72 (1983); Cole et al., pg. 77-96 in Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, Inc. (1985).

Where the novel CD163 polypeptides are prepared without a tag attached, and no antibodies are available, other well-known procedures for purification can be used. Such procedures include, without limitation, ion exchange chromatography, molecular sieve chromatography, HPLC, native gel electrophoresis in combination with gel elution, and preparative isoelectric focusing (“Isoprime” machine/technique, Hoefer Scientific). In some cases, two or more of these techniques may be combined to achieve increased purity.

It should be understood that the definition of polypeptides of the invention is intended to include polypeptides bearing modifications other than insertion, deletion, or substitution of amino acid residues. By way of example, the modifications may be covalent in nature, and include for example, chemical bonding with polymers, lipids, other organic, and inorganic moieties.

Antibodies

Also comprehended by the present invention are antibodies (e.g., monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, single chain antibodies, chimeric antibodies, bifunctional/bispecific antibodies, humanized antibodies, human antibodies, and complementary determining region (CDR)-grafted antibodies, including compounds which include CDR sequences which specifically recognize a polypeptide of the invention) specific for novel CD163 or fragments thereof.

The term “specific for,” when used to describe antibodies of the invention, indicates that the variable regions of the antibodies of the invention recognize and bind CD163s polypeptides exclusively (i.e., able to distinguish CD163s polypeptides from other known polypeptides by virtue of measurable differences in binding affinity, despite the possible existence of localized sequence identity, homology, or similarity between the novel CD163 and such polypeptides). It will be understood that specific antibodies may also interact with other proteins (for example, S. aureus protein A or other antibodies in ELISA techniques) through interactions with sequences outside the variable region of the antibodies, and in particular, in the constant region of the molecule. Screening assays to determine binding specificity of an antibody of the invention are well known and routinely practiced in the art. For a comprehensive discussion of such assays, see Harlow et al. (Eds), Antibodies A Laboratory Manual; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1988), Chapter 6. Antibodies that recognize and bind fragments of the CD163s polypeptides of the invention are also contemplated, provided that the antibodies are, first and foremost, specific for novel CD163 polypeptides. Antibodies of the invention can be produced using any method well known and routinely practiced in the art. Non-human antibodies may be humanized by any methods known in the art. In one method, the non-human CDRs are inserted into a human antibody or consensus antibody framework sequence. Further changes can then be introduced into the antibody framework to modulate affinity or immunogenicity.

Antibodies of the invention are useful for, diagnostic purposes to detect or quantitate CD163s, as well as purification of CD163s. Kits comprising an antibody of the invention for any of the purposes described herein are also contemplated. In general, a kit of the invention also includes a control antigen for which the antibody is immunospecific.

The present invention is further illustrated, but not limited, by the following examples.

Example 1 Transient Transfection with Porcine CD163 Confers Permissivity to PRRS Virus Infection to a Non-Permissive Cell Line

Total mRNA from primary porcine alveolar macrophage cells was used to construct a cDNA library in the plasmid pCMV-Sport6.1 (Invitrogen), with the cDNA cloned between the EcoRV and NotI sites. A member of this library, when isolated and transiently transfected into the BHK-21 (baby hamster kidney) cell line, conferred a PRRS-permissive phenotype. Cells were grown in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) in a 5% CO₂ atmosphere at 37° C. Cell cultures were transiently transfected using 10.0 uL of Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen) and 2.0 ug of plasmid. A duplicate monolayer was transfected with negative control plasmid pPAMB. This plasmid is pCMV-Sport6.1 lacking an insert. Transfection efficiency was monitored with a plasmid expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP). Approximately 24 hours post-transfection, monolayers were infected with either North American (isolate P129) or European (isolate 96V198) genotypes of PRRS virus. For detection of PRRS replication, the monolayers were fixed using 80% acetone approximately 24 hours post-infection and incubated for approximately 1 hour with FITC-conjugated monoclonal antibody SDOW17 (Rural Technologies Inc.). This monoclonal antibody is specific for PRRS viral nucleocapsid expressed from open reading frame 7. A Nikon TE 300 inverted fluorescent microscope with a 10× objective was used to photograph a monolayer containing FITC positive cells and a negative control monolayer.

It was confirmed that transfected cells became permissive to both the North American (isolate P129) and European (isolate 96V198) genotypes of PRRSV. Expression of viral genes could be detected in many of the transfected BHK cells, and progeny virus was readily detectable in the supernatant. Control transfections using vector without insert or irrelevant plasmids did not confer permissivity.

Sequencing of the insert in the functional plasmid, using the Big Dye Terminator Version 1.0 Sequence Reaction kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) and the Applied Biosystems 3730 DNA Analyzer (Applied Biosystems), revealed a gene that was highly homologous to the published porcine CD163 gene cDNA (Genbank accession number AJ311716). The cDNA we identified contained additional 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions relative to AJ311716, and the open reading frame differed in three ways: (1) a 738 by internal deletion near the 5′ end, (2) a 15 by extension of the 5′ end to an upstream ATG codon, and (3) sixteen nucleotide changes predicted to cause 10 amino acid changes. Nucleotide sequence identity between the sequences was 99.4%. Alignments of the newly discovered porcine CD163 sequence with the previously reported sequence AJ311716 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The novel porcine CD163 variant was designated “susCD163v1”.

SEQUENCE ID NO gtaataatac aagaagattt aaatgggcat aaaaccttgg aatggacaaa ctcagaatgg   60 SEQ ID tgctacatga aaactctgga tctgcagacc tgaaactgag agtggtagat ggagtcactg  120 NO: 5 aatgttcagg aagattggaa gtgaaattcc aaggagaatg gggaacaatc tgtgatgatg  180 gctgggatag tgatgatgcc gctgtggcat gtaagcaact gggatgtcca actgctgtca  240 ctgccattgg tcgagttaac gccagtgagg gaactggaca catttggctt gacagtgttt  300 cttgccatgg acacgagtct gctctctggc agtgtagaca ccatgaatgg ggaaagcatt  360 attgcaatca taatgaagat gctggtgtga catgttctga tggatcagat ctggaactga  420 gacttaaagg tggaggcagc cactgtgctg ggacagtgga ggtggaaatt cagaaactgg  480 taggaaaagt gtgtgataga agctggggac tgaaagaagc tgatgtggtt tgcaggcagc  540 tgggatgtgg atctgcactc aaaacatcat atcaagttta ttccaaaacc aaggcaacaa  600 acacatggct gtttgtaagc agctgtaatg gaaatgaaac ttctctttgg gactgcaaga  660 attggcagtg gggtggactt agttgtgatc actatgacga agccaaaatt acctgctcag  720 cccacaggaa acccaggctg gttggagggg acattccctg ctctggtcgt gttgaagtac  780 aacatggaga cacgtggggc accgtctgtg attctgactt ctctctggag gcggccagcg  840 tgctgtgcag ggaactacag tgcggcactg tggtttccct cctgggggga gctcactttg  900 gagaaggaag tggacagatc tgggctgaag aattccagtg tgaggggcac gagtcccacc  960 tttcactctg cccagtagca ccccgccctg acgggacatg tagccacagc agggacgtcg 1020 gcgtagtctg ctcaagatac acacaaatcc gcttggtgaa tggcaagacc ccatgtgaag 1080 gaagagtgga gctcaacatt cttgggtcct gggggtccct ctgcaactct cactgggaca 1140 tggaagatgc ccatgtttta tgccagcagc ttaaatgtgg agttgccctt tctatcccgg 1200 gaggagcacc ttttgggaaa ggaagtgagc aggtctggag gcacatgttt cactgcactg 1260 ggactgagaa gcacatggga gattgttccg tcactgctct gggcgcatca ctctgttctt 1320 cagggcaagt ggcctctgta atctgctcag ggaaccagag tcagacacta tccccgtgca 1380 attcatcatc ctcggaccca tcaagctcta ttatttcaga agaaaatggt gttgcctgca 1440 tagggagtgg tcaacttcgc ctggtcgatg gaggtggtcg ttgtgctggg agagtagagg 1500 tctatcatga gggctcctgg ggcaccatct gtgatgacag ctgggacctg aatgatgccc 1560 atgtggtgtg caaacagctg agctgtggat gggccattaa tgccactggt tctgctcatt 1620 ttggggaagg aacagggccc atttggctgg atgagataaa ctgtaatgga aaagaatctc 1680 atatttggca atgccactca catggttggg ggcggcacaa ttgcaggcat aaggaggatg 1740 caggagtcat ctgctcggag ttcatgtctc tcagactgat cagtgaaaac agcagagaga 1800 cctgtgcagg gcgcctggaa gttttttaca acggagcttg gggcagcgtt ggcaagaata 1860 gcatgtctcc agccacagtg ggggtggtat gcaggcagct gggctgtgca gacagagggg 1920 acatcagccc tgcatcttca gacaagacag tgtccaggca catgtgggtg gacaatgttc 1980 agtgtcctaa aggacctgac accctatggc agtgcccatc atctccatgg aagaagagac 2040 tggccagccc ctcagaggag acatggatca catgtgccaa caaaataaga cttcaagaag 2100 gaaacactaa ttgttctgga cgtgtggaga tctggtacgg aggttcctgg ggcactgtgt 2160 gtgacgactc ctgggacctt gaagatgctc aggtggtgtg ccgacagctg ggctgtggct 2220 cagctttgga ggcaggaaaa gaggccgcat ttggccaggg gactgggccc atatggctca 2280 atgaagtgaa gtgcaagggg aatgaaacct ccttgtggga ttgtcctgcc agatcctggg 2340 gccacagtga ctgtggacac aaggaggatg ctgctgtgac gtgttcagaa attgcaaaga 2400 gccgagaatc cctacatgcc acaggtcgct catcttttgt tgcacttgca atctttgggg 2460 tcattctgtt ggcctgtctc atcgcattcc tcatttggac tcagaagcga agacagaggc 2520 agcggctctc agttttctca ggaggagaga attctgtcca tcaaattcaa taccgggaga 2580 tgaattcttg cctgaaagca gatgaaacgg atatgctaaa tccctcagga gaccactctg 2640 aagtacaatg aaaaggaaaa tgggaattat aacctggtga gttcagcctt taagatacct 2700 tgatgaagac ctggactatt gaatgagcaa gaatctgcct cttacactga agattacaat 2760 acagtcctct gtctcctggt attccaaaga ctgctgttga atttctaaaa aatagattgg 2820 tgaatgtgac tactcaaagt tgtatgtaag actttcaagg gcattaaata aaaaagaata 2880 ttgctgaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa 2930    1 M  D  K  L  R  M  V  L  H  E  N  S  G  S  A  D  L  K  L  R SEQ ID    1 atggacaaactcagaatggtgctacatgaaaactctggatctgcagacctgaaactgaga NO: 1   21 V  V  D  C  V  T  E  C  S  G  R  L  E  V  K  F  Q  G  E  W and 2   61 gtggtagatggagtcactgaatgttcaggaagattggaagtgaaattccaaggagaatgg   41 G  T  I  C  D  D  G  W  D  S  D  D  A  A  V  A  C  K  Q  L  121 ggaacaatctgtgatgatggctgggatagtgatgatgccgctgtggcatgtaagcaactg   61 G  C  P  T  A  V  T  A  I  G  R  V  N  A  S  E  G  T  G  H  181 ggatgtccaactgctgtcactgccattggtcgagttaacgccagtgagggaactggacac   81 I  W  L  D  S  V  S  C  H  G  H  E  S  A  L  W  Q  C  R  H   241 atttggcttgacagtgtttcttgccatggacacgagtctgctctctggcagtgtagacac  101 H  E  W  G  K  H  Y  C  N  H  N  E  D  A  G  V  T  C  S  D  301 catgaatggggaaagcattattgcaatcataatgaagatgctggtgtgacatgttctgat  121 G  S  D  L  E  L  R  L  K  G  G  G  S  H  C  A  G  T  V  E  361 ggatcagatctggaactgagacttaaaggtggaggcagccactgtgctgggacagtggag  141 V  E  I  Q  K  L  V  G  K  V  C  D  N  S  W  G  L  K  E  A  421 gtggaaattcagaaactggtaggaaaagtgtgtgatagaagctggggactgaaagaagct  161 D  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  G  S  A  L  K  T  S  Y  Q  V  Y  481 gatgtggtttgcaggcagctgggatgtggatctgcactcaaaacatcatatcaagtttat  181 S  K  T  K  A  T  N  T  W  L  F  V  S  S  C  N  G  N  E  T  541 tccaaaaccaaggcaacaaacacatggctgtttgtaagcagctgtaatggaaatgaaact  201 S  L  W  D  C  K  N  W  Q  W  G  G  L  S  C  D  H  Y  D  E  601 tctctttgggactgcaagaattggcagtggggtggacttagttgtgatcactatgacgaa  221 A  K  I  T  C  S  A  H  R  K  P  R  L  V  G  G  D  I  P  C  661 gccaaaattacctgctcagcccacaggaaacccaggctggttggaggggacattccctgc  241 S  G  R  V  E  V  Q  H  G  D  T  W  G  T  V  C  D  S  D  F  721 tctggtcgtgttgaagtacaacatggagacacgtggggcaccgtctgtgattctgacttc  261 S  L  E  A  A  S  V  L  C  R  E  L  Q  C  G  T  V  V  S  L  781 tctctggaggcggccagcgtgctgtgcagggaactacagtgcggcactgtggtttccctc  281 L  G  G  A  H  F  G  E  G  S  G  Q  I  W  A  E  E  F  Q  C  841 ctggggggagctcactttggagaaggaagtggacagatctgggctgaagaattccagtgt  301 E  G  H  E  S  H  L  S  L  C  P  V  A  P  R  P  D  G  T  C  901 gaggggcacgagtoccacctttcactctgcccagtagcaccccgccctgacgggacatgt  321 S  H  S  R  D  V  G  V  V  C  S  R  Y  T  Q  I  R  L  V  N  961 agccacagcagggacgtcggcgtagtctgctcaagatacacacaaatccgcttggtgaat  341 G  K  T  S  C  E  G  R  V  E  L  N  I  L  G  S  W  G  S  L 1021 ggcaagaccccatgtgaaggaagagtggagctcaacattcttgggtcctgggggtccctc  361 C  N  S  H  W  D  M  E  D  A  H  V  L  C  Q  Q  L  K  C  G 1081 tgcaactctcactgggacatggaagatgcccatgttttatgccagcagcttaaatgtgga  381 V  A  L  S  I  P  G  G  A  P  F  G  K  G  S  E  Q  V  W  R 1141 gttgccctttctatcccgggaggagcaccttttgggaaaggaagtgagcaggtctggagg  401 H  M  F  H  C  T  G  T  E  K  H  M  G  D  C  S  V  T  A  L 1201 cacatgtttcactgcactgggactgagaagcacatgggagattgttccgtcactgctctg  421 G  A  S  L  C  S  S  G  Q  V  A  S  V  I  C  S  G  N  Q  S 1261 ggcgcatcactctgttcttcagggcaagtggcctctgtaatctgctcagggaaccagagt  441 Q  T  L  S  P  C  N  S  S  S  S  D  P  S  S  S  I  I  S  E 1321 cagacactatccccgtgcaattcatcatcctcggacccatcaagctctattatttcagaa  461 E  N  G  V  A  C  I  G  S  G  Q  L  R  L  V  D  G  G  G  R 1381 gaaaatggtgttgcctgcatagggagtggtcaacttcgcctggtcgatggaggtggtcgt  481 C  A  G  R  V  E  V  Y  H  E  G  S  W  G  T  I  C  D  D  S 1441 tgtgctgggagagtagaggtctatcatgagggctcctggggcaccatctgtgatgacagc  501 W  D  L  N  D  A  H  V  V  C  K  Q  L  S  C  G  W  A  I  N 1501 tgggacctgaatgatgcccatgtggtgtgcaaacagctgagctgtggatgggccattaat  521 A  T  G  S  A  H  F  G  E  G  T  G  P  I  W  L  D  E  I  N 1561 gccactggttctgctcattttggggaaggaacagggcccatttggctggatgagataaac  541 C  N  G  K  E  S  H  I  W  Q  C  H  S  H  G  W  G  R  H  N 1621 tgtaatggaaaagaatctcatatttggcaatgccactcacatggttgggggcggcacaat  561 C  R  H  K  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  E  F  M  S  L  R  L  I 1681 tgcaggcataaggaggatgcaggagtcatctgctcggagttcatgtctctcagactgatc  581 S  E  N  S  R  E  T  C  A  G  R  L  E  V  F  Y  N  G  A  W 1741 agtgaaaacagcagagagacctgtgcagggcgcctggaagttttttacaacggagcttgg  601 G  S  V  G  K  N  S  M  S  P  A  T  V  G  V  V  C  R  Q  L 1801 ggcagcgttggcaagaatagcatgtctccagccacagtgggggtggtatgcaggcagctg  621 G  C  A  D  R  G  D  I  S  P  A  S  S  D  K  T  V  S  R  H 1861 ggctgtgcagacagaggggacatcagccctgcatcttcagacaagacagtgtccaggcac  641 M  W  V  D  N  V  Q  C  P  K  G  P  D  T  L  W  Q  C  P  S 1921 atgtgggtggacaatgttcagtgtcctaaaggacctgacaccctatggcagtgcccatca  661 S  P  W  K  K  R  L  A  S  P  S  E  E  T  W  I  T  C  A  N 1981 tctccatggaagaagagactggccagcccctcagaggagacatggatcacatgtgccaac  681 K  I  R  L  Q  E  G  N  T  N  C  S  G  R  V  E  I  W  Y  G 2041 aaaataagacttcaagaaggaaacactaattgttctggacgtgtggagatctggtacgga  701 G  S  W  G  T  V  C  D  D  S  W  D  L  E  D  A  Q  V  V  C 2101 ggttcctggggcactgtgtgtgacgactcctgggaccttgaagatgctcaggtggtgtgc  721 R  Q  L  G  C  G  S  A  L  E  A  G  K  E  A  A  F  G  Q  G 2161 cgacagctgggctgtggctcagctttggaggcaggaaaagaggccgcatttggccagggg  741 T  G  P  I  W  L  N  E  V  K  C  K  G  N  E  T  S  L  W  D 2221 actgggcccatatggctcaatgaagtgaagtgcaaggggaatgaaacctccttgtgggat  761 C  P  A  R  S  W  G  H  S  D  C  G  H  K  E  D  A  A  V  T 2281 tgtcctgccagatcctggggccacagtgactgtggacacaaggaggatgctgctgtgacg  781 C  S  E  I  A  K  S  R  E  S  L  H  A  T  G  R  S  S  F  V 2341 tgttcagaaattgcaaagagccgagaatccctacatgccacaggtcgctcatcttttgtt  801 A  L  A  I  F  G  V  I  L  L  A  C  L  I  A  F  L  I  W  T 2401 gcacttgcaatctttggggtcattctgttggcctgtctcatcgcattcctcatttggact  821 Q  K  R  R  Q  R  Q  R  L  S  V  F  S  G  G  E  N  S  V  H 2461 cagaagcgaagacagaggcagcggctctcagttttctcaggaggagagaattctgtccat  841 Q  I  Q  Y  R  E  M  N  S  C  L  K  A  D  E  T  D  M  L  N 2521 caaattcaataccgggagatgaattcttgcctgaaagcagatgaaacggatatgctaaat  861 P  S  G  D  H  S  E  V  Q 2581 ccctcaggagaccactctgaagtacaa    1 MDKLRMVLHE NSGSADLKLR VVDGVTECSG RLEVKFQGEW GTICDDGWDS SEQ ID   51 DDAAVACKQL GCPTAVTAIG RVNASEGTGH IWLDSVSCHG HESALWQCRH NO: 2  101 HEWGKHYCNH NEDAGVTCSD GSDLELRLKG GGSHCAGTVE VEIQKLVGKV  151 CDRSWGLKEA DVVCRQLGCG SALKTSYQVY SKTKATNTWL FVSSCNGNET  201 SLWDCKNWQW GGLSCDHYDE AKITCSAHRK PRLVGGDIPC SGRVEVQHGD  251 TWGTVCDSDF SLEAASVLCR ELQCGTVVSL LGGAHFGEGS GQIWAEEFQC  301 EGHESHLSLC PVAPRPDGTC SHSRDVGVVC SRYTQIRLVN GKTPCEGRVE  351 LNILGSWGSL CNSHWDMEDA HVLCQQLKCG VALSIPGGAP FGKGSEQVWR  401 HMFHCTGTEK HMGDCSVTAL GASLCSSGQV ASVICSGNQS QTLSPCNSSS  451 SDPSSSIISE ENGVACIGSG QLRLVDGGGR CAGRVEVYHE GSWGTICDDS  501 WDLNDAHVVC KQLSCGWAIN ATGSAHFGEG TGPIWLDEIN CNGKESHIWQ  551 CHSHGWGRHN CRHKEDAGVI CSEFMSLRLI SENSRETCAG RLEVFYNGAW  601 GSVGKNSMSP ATVGVVCRQL GCADRGDISP ASSDKTVSRH MWVDNVQCPK  651 GPDTLWQCPS SPWKKRLASP SEETWITCAN KIRLQEGNTN CSGRVEIWYG  701 GSWGTVCDDS WDLEDAQVVC RQLGCGSALE AGKEAAFGQG TGPIWLNEVK  751 CKGNETSLWD CPARSWGHSD CGHKEDAAVT CSEIAKSRES LHATGASSFV  801 ALAIFGVILL ACLIAFLIWT QKRRQRQRLS VFSGGENSVH QIQYREMNSC  851 LKADETDMLN PSGDHSEVQ

Example 2 Construction of Plasmid pCMVsusCD163v1

Construction of the plasmid pCMVsusCD163v1 was performed as follows. The functional clone identified in the primary porcine macrophage cDNA library as conferring PRRSV permissivity served as template for PCR amplification of the CD163 insert, including the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions, using the primers 5′DS-CD163 (SEQ ID NO:6) (5′-CGGAATTCCGCGGATGTAATAATACAAGAAGA-3′) and 3′CD163 (SEQ ID NO:7) (5′CCGCTCGAGTAGTCCAGGTCTTCATCAAGGTATC′TT-3′). Primer 5′DS-CD163 incorporates a SacII restriction site at the 5′ end of the CD163 insert, while primer 3′CD163 incorporates an XhoI restriction site at the 3′ end of the insert (underlined). Reactions containing 190 ng of plasmid template were amplified using Platinum Pfx DNA polymerase (Invitrogen cat #11708-013) following the manufacture's instructions. Reactions were heated to 94° for 2 minutes then cycled 35 times through 94° for 20 seconds, 55° for 30 seconds, and 68° for 3.5 minutes followed by a terminal extension at 72° for 7 minutes. The resulting PCR products were purified using the Qiaquick PCR purification kit (Qiagen cat #28104), digested with restriction enzymes SacII and XhoI, and the resulting fragments were gel purified using the Qiaquick Gel Extraction kit (Qiagen cat #28704). The CD163 PCR fragment was then ligated into the plasmid pCMV-Script (Stratagene cat #212220) prepared to accept the digested PCR fragment by digestion with SacII and XhoI followed by gel purification as described above. The ligated material was transformed into E. coli strain DH5α and recombinants were selected by growth in 50 μg/ml kanamycin and identified by restriction analysis. The resulting plasmid, “pCMVsusCD163v1”, contains the internally deleted porcine CD163 insert described in Example 1 under the transcriptional control of the eukaryotic CMV promoter and the neomycin/kanamycin resistance gene under the control of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic promoters.

Example 3 Construction of the pRSV-Script Expression Vector and pRSVsusCD163v1

The plasmid pRc/RSV (Invitrogen) was used as a template for PCR amplification of the RSV promoter. RSV promoter sequence was contained within nucleotides 209 through 604 of pRc/RSV. Forward primer PCIRSVLTR (SEQ ID NO:8) (5′-ACACTCGACATGTCGATGTACGGGCCAGATATACGCGT-3′) and reverse primer VSRRTLSAC (SEQ ID NO: 9) (5′TTCCTTACAGAGCTCGAGGTGCACACCAATGTGGTGAA-3′) were synthesized. Restriction endonuclease Pci I and Sac I recognition sites (underlined) were incorporated into the 5′ and 3′ primers, respectively, for future cloning. PCR was performed using the HotMaster Taq DNA Polymerase kit (Eppendorf) following the manufacturer's instructions. The reactions contained 0.9 ng of pRc/RSV plasmid template and 0.3 μM of each primer described above. The reactions were heated to 94° for 2 minutes then cycled 30 times through 94° for 20 seconds, 52° for 10 seconds, and 65° for 1 minute. The resulting PCR fragment was digested with restriction enzymes Pci I and Sac I, gel purified, and cloned into the plasmid pCMV-Script (Stratagene) that had been similarly digested to remove the CMV promoter sequence. The final construct placed the RSV promoter immediately upstream of the multiple cloning site, and was named “pRSV-Script”.

The susCD163v1 insert was cloned behind the RSV promoter as follows. The susCD163v1 sequence was excised from plasmid pCMVsusCD163v1 by restriction digestion (Kpn I and Sac II) and gel purified. This fragment was ligated into pRSV-Script which had also been digested with the same enzymes and gel purified. The ligation mixture was transformed into DH5α E. coli and transformants selected using kanamycin at 50 μg/ml. The clone contained the correct insert was designed “pRSVsusCD163v1”.

Example 4 Cloning and Characterization of a Longer Variant of Porcine CD163 cDNA

Based on the porcine CD163v1 sequence, a forward primer 5′CD163NotIlong (SEQ ID NO:10) (5′CGGTCCGGAGCGGCCGCGATGTAATAATACAAGAAGATTTAAATGG-3′) and a reverse primer 3′CD163 KpnI (SEQ ID NO:11) (5′CGGTTGGTACCCAGCAATATTCTTTTTTATTTAATGCC-3′) were designed using the Lasergene PrimerSelect program (DNASTAR Inc., Madison Wis.) for amplification of a full-length porcine CD163 gene. Restriction endonuclease sites for Not I and Kpn I (underlined) were included in 5′ and 3′ primers, respectively, to allow for convenient cloning. Total cellular RNA was prepared from primary alveolar macrophages (PAM) harvested from lung lavages of healthy pigs. RNA preparation was done using the RNeasy mini kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.). RT-PCR reactions were prepared using the SuperScript one-step RT-PCR for Long Templates kit (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) and RT-PCR parameters were set as follows: 50° C. for 30 min, 94° C. for 2 min, (94° C. 30 sec, 55° C. 30 sec and 68° C. 4 min) for 35 cycles, 72° C. for 10 min. PCR products were analyzed on 0.8% SeaKem GTG agarose gels. RT-PCR products of various sizes were cut from agarose gels and DNA was extracted using the GeneClean kit (QBiogene). These RT-PCR products were cloned into the pCR2.1-TOPO cloning vector (Invitrogen). Clones were analyzed by restriction enzyme digestion for the presence of an insert. Colonies containing inserts were sequenced using Big Dye Terminator Version 1.0 Sequence Reaction kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) and Applied Biosystems 3730 DNA Analyzer (Applied Biosystems) to confirm sequence authenticity. Sequences were edited and assembled using the Lasergene EditSeq and SeqMan programs (DNASTAR Inc., Madison Wis.). One plasmid with a large insert was designated “pCRsusCD163v2” (pCR2.1 containing porcine CD163 variant 2 which we have designated SEQ ID NO:12). The coding sequence contained within SEQ ID NO:12 is reproduced below and is designated SEQ ID NO:13. Sequence analysis showed that this porcine CD163 encodes an amino acid sequence of 1115 amino acids which we have designated SEQ ID NO:14. When compared to the porcine CD163 sequence in GenBank (Accession No. AJ311716), our CD163v2 sequence is 98.9% identical at the amino acid level. CD163v2 also has an additional 5 amino acid residues at the extreme 5′ end, extending the open reading frame to an in-frame upstream ATG initiation codon (as in the porcine CD163v1 sequence described in example 1). Porcine CD163 is 84.3% identical to human CD163 (GenBank Accession No. Z22968), and 73.7% identical to mouse CD163 (GenBank Accession No. AF274883) at the amino acid level. The predicted signal sequence and transmembrane region of SEQ ID NO:14 are indicated by underlining and bolding respectively. To determine whether other CD163 sequences contain similar sequence features is easily determined by inspection of the sequence.

SEQUENCE ID NO gtaataatac aagaagattt aaatggcata aaaccttgga atggacaaac tcagaatggt   60 SEQ ID gctacatgaa aactctggat ctgcagactt tagaagatgt tctgcccatt taagttcctt  120 NO: 12 cacttttgct gtagtcgctg ttctcagtgc ctgcttggtc actagttctc ttggaggaaa  180 agacaaggag ctgaggctaa cgggtggtga aaacaagtgc tctggaagag tggaggtgaa  240 agtgcaggag gagtggggaa ctgtgtgtaa taatggctgg gacatggatg tggtctctgt  300 tgtttgtagg cagctgggat gtccaactgc tatcaaagcc actggatggg ctaattttag  360 tgcaggttct ggacgcattt ggatggatca tgtttcttgt cgagggaatg agtcagctct  420 ctgggactgc aaacatgatg gatggggaaa gcataactgt actcaccaac aggatgctgg  480 agtaacctgc tcagatggat ctgatttaga gatggggctg gtgaatggag gaaaccggtg  540 cttaggaaga atagaagtca aatttcaagg acggtgggga acagtgtgtg atgataactt  600 caacataaat catgcttctg tggtttgtaa acaacttgaa tgtggaagtg ctgtcagttt  660 ctctggttca gctaattttg gagaaggttc tggaccaatc tggtttgatg atcttgtatg  720 caatggaaat gagtcagctc tctggaactg caaacatgaa ggatggggaa agcacaattg  780 cgatcatgct gaggatgctg gagtgatttg cttaaatgga gcagacctga aactgagagt  840 ggtagatgga gtcactgaat gttcaggaag attggaagtg aaattccaag gagaatgggg  900 aacaatctgt gatgatggct gggatagtga tgatgccgct gtggcatgta agcaactggg  960 atgtccaact gctgtcactg ccattggtcg agttaacgcc agtgagggaa ctggacacat 1020 ttggcttgac agtgtttctt gccatggaca cgagtctgct ctctggcagt gtagacacca 1080 tgaatgggga aagcattatt gcaatcatga tgaagatgct ggtgtgacat gttctgatgg 1140 atcagatctg gaactgagac ttaaaggtgg aggcagccac tgtgctggga cagtggaggt 1200 ggaaattcag aaactggtag gaaaagtgtg tgatagaagc tggggactga aagaagctga 1260 tgtggtttgc aggcagctgg gatgtggatc tgcactcaaa acatcatatc aagtttattc 1320 caaaaccaag gcaacaaaca catggctgtt tgtaagcagc tgtaatggaa atgaaacttc 1380 tctttgggac tgcaagaatt ggcagtgggg tggacttagt tgtgatcact atgacgaagc 1440 caaaattacc tgctcagccc acaggaaacc caggctggtt ggaggggaca ttccctgctc 1500 tggtcgtgtt gaagtacaac atggagacac gtggggcacc gtctgtgatt ctgacttctc 1560 tctggaggcg gccagcgtgc tgtgcaggga actacagtgc ggcactgtgg tttccctcct 1620 ggggggagct cactttggag aaggaagtgg acagatctgg gctgaagaat tccagtgtga 1680 ggggcacgag tcccaccttt cactctgccc agtagcaccc cgccctgacg ggacatgtag 1740 ccacagcagg gacgtcggcg tagtctgctc aagatacaca caaatccgct tggtgaatgg 1800 caagacccca tgtgaaggaa gagtggagct caacattctt gggtcctggg ggtccctctg 1860 caactctcac tgggacatgg aagatgccca tgttttatgc cagcagctta aatgtggagt 1920 tgccctttct atcccgggag gagcaccttt tgggaaagga agtgagcagg tctggaggca 1980 catgtttcac tgcactggga ctgagaagca catgggagat tgttccgtca ctgctotggg 2040 cgcatcactc tgttcttcag ggcaagtggc ctctgtaatc tgctcaggga accagagtca 2100 gacactatct ccgtgcaatt catcatcctc ggacccatca agctctatta tttcagaaga 2160 aaatggtgtt gcctgcatag ggagtggtca acttcgcctg gtcgatggag gtggtcgttg 2220 tgctgggaga gtagaggtct atcatgaggg ctcctggggc accatctgtg atgacagctg 2280 ggacctgaat gatgcccatg tggtgtgcaa acagctgagc tgtggatggg ccattaatgc 2340 cactggttct gctcattttg gggaaggaac agggcccatt tggctggatg agataaactg 2400 taatggaaaa gaatctcata tttggcaatg ccactcacat ggttgggggc ggcacaattg 2460 caggcataag gaggatgcag gagtcatctg ctcagagttc atgtctctga gactgatcag 2520 tgaaaacagc agagagacct gtgcagggcg cctggaagtt ttttacaacg gagcttgggg 2580 cagcgttggc aggaatagca tgtctccagc cacagtgggg gtggtatgca ggcagctggg 2640 ctgtgcagac agaggggaca tcagccctgc atcttcagac aagacagtgt ccaggcacat 2700 gtgggtggac aatgttcagt gtcctaaagg acctgacaca ctatggcagt gcccatcatc 2760 tccatggaag aagagactgg ccagcccctc agaggagaca tggatcacat gtgccaacaa 2820 aataagactt caagaaggaa acactaattg ttctggacgt gtggagatct ggtacggagg 2880 ttcctggggc actgtgtgtg acgactcctg ggaccttgaa gatgctcagg tggtgtgccg 2940 acagctgggc tgtggctcag ctttggaggc aggaaaagag gccgcatttg gccaggggac 3000 tgggcccata tggctcaatg aagtgaagtg caaggggaat gaaacctcct tgtgggattg 3060 tcctgccaga tcctggggcc acagtgactg tggacacaag gaggatgctg ctgtgacgtg 3120 ctcagaaatt gcaaagagcc gagaatccct acatgccaca ggtcgctcat cttttgttgc 3180 acttgcaatc tttggggtca ttctgttggc ctgtctcatc gcattcctca tttggactca 3240 gaagcgaaga cagaggcagc ggctctcagt tttctcagga ggagagaatt ctgtccatca 3300 aattcaatac cgggagatga attcttgcct gaaagcagat gaaacggata tgctaaatcc 3360 ctcaggagac cactctgaag tacaatgaaa aggaaaatgg gaattataac ctggtgagtt 3420 cagcctttaa gataccttga tgaagacctg gactattgaa tgagcaagaa tctgcctctt 3480 acactgaaga ttacaataca gtcctctgtc tcctggtatt ccaaagactg ctgctgaatt 3540 tctaaagaat agattggtga atgtgactac tcaaagttgt atgtaagact ttcaagggca 3600 ttaaataaaa aagaatattg ctg 3623    1 M  D  K  L  R  M  V  L  H  E  N  S  G  S  A  D  F  R  R  C SEQ ID    1 atggacaaactcagaatggtgctacatgaaaactctggatctgcagactttagaagatgt NO: 13   21 S  A  H  L  S  S  F  T  F  A  V  V  A  V  L  S  A  C L   V and 14   61 tctgcccatttaagttccttcacttttgctgtagtcgctgttctcagtgcctgcttggtc   41 T  S  S  L  G  G  K  D  K  E  L  R  L  T  G  G  E  N  K  C  121 actagttctcttggaggaaaagacaaggagctgaggctaacgggtggtgaaaacaagtgc   61 S  G  R  V  E  V  K  V  Q  E  E  W  G  T  V  C  N  N  G  W  181 tctggaagagtggaggtgaaagtgcaggaggagtggggaactgtgtgtaataatggctgg   81 D  M  D  V  V  S  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  K  A  241 gacatggatgtggtctctgttgtttgtaggcagctgggatgtccaactgctatcaaagcc  101 T  G  W  A  N  F  S  A  G  S  G  R  I  W  M  D  H  V  S  C  301 actggatgggctaattttagtgcaggttctggacgcatttggatggatcatgtttcttgt  121 R  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  D  C  K  H  D  G  W  G  K  H  N  C  361 cgagggaatgagtcagctctctgggactgcaaacatgatggatggggaaagcataactgt  141 T  H  Q  Q  D  A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  M  G  L  421 actcaccaacaggatgctggagtaacctgctcagatggatctgatttagagatggggctg  161 V  N  G  G  N  R  C  L  G  R  I  E  V  K  F  Q  G  K  W  G  481 gtgaatggaggaaaccggtgcttaggaagaatagaagtcaaatttcaaggacggtgggga  181 T  V  C  D  D  N  F  N  I  N  H  A  S  V  V  C  K  Q  L  E  541 acagtgtgtgatgataacttcaacataaatcatgcttctgtggtttgtaaacaacttgaa  201 C  G  S  A  V  S  F  S  G  S  A  N  F  G  E  G  S  G  P  I  601 tgtggaagtgctgtcagtttctctggttcagctaattttggagaaggttctggaccaatc  221 W  F  D  D  L  V  C  N  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  N  C  K  H  E  661 tggtttgatgatcttgtatgcaatggaaatgagtcagctctctggaactgcaaacatgaa  241 G  W  G  K  H  N  C  D  H  A  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  L  N  G  721 ggatggggaaagcacaattgcgatcatgctgaggatgctggagtgatttgcttaaatgga  261 A  D  L  K  L  R  V  V  D  G  V  T  E  C  S  G  R  L  E  V  781 gcagacctgaaactgagagtggtagatggagtcactgaatgttcaggaagattggaagtg  281 K  F  Q  G  E  W  G  T  I  C  D  D  G  W  D  S  D  D  A  A  841 aaattccaaggagaatggggaacaatctgtgatgatggctgggatagtgatgatgccgct  301 V  A  C  K  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  V  T  A  I  G  R  V  N  A  901 gtggcatgtaagcaactgggatgtccaactgctgtcactgccattggtcgagttaacgcc  321 S  E  G  T  G  H  I  W  L  D  S  V  S  C  H  G  H  E  S  A  961 agtgagggaactggacacatttggcttgacagtgtttcttgccatggacacgagtctgct  341 L  W  Q  C  R  H  H  E  W  G  K  H  Y  C  N  H  D  E  D  A 1021 ctctggcagtgtagacaccatgaatggggaaagcattattgcaatcatgatgaagatgct  361 G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  L  R  L  K  G  G  G  S  H 1081 ggtgtgacatgttctgatggatcagatctggaactgagacttaaaggtggaggcagccac  381 C  A  G  T  V  E  V  E  I  Q  K  L  V  G  K  V  C  D  R  S 1141 tgtgctgggacagtggaggtggaaattcagaaactggtaggaaaagtgtgtgatagaagc  401 W  G  L  K  E  A  D  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  G  S  A  L  K 1201 tggggactgaaagaagctgatgtggtttgcaggcagctgggatgtggatctgcactcaaa  421 T  S  Y  Q  V  Y  S  K  T  K  A  T  N  T  W  L  F  V  S  S 1261 acatcatatcaagtttattccaaaaccaaggcaacaaacacatggctgtttgtaagcagc  441 C  N  G  N  E  T  S  L  W  D  C  K  N  W  Q  W  G  G  L  S 1321 tgtaatggaaatgaaacttctctttgggactgcaagaattggcagtggggtggacttagt  461 C  D  H  Y  D  E  A  K  I  T  C  S  A  H  R  K  P  R  L  V 1381 tgtgatcactatgacgaagccaaaattacctgctcagcccacaggaaacccaggctggtt  481 G  G  D  I  P  C  S  G  R  V  E  V  Q  H  G  D  T  W  G  T 1441 ggaggggacattccctgctctggtcgtgttgaagtacaacatggagacacgtggggcacc  501 V  C  D  S  D  F  S  L  E  A  A  S  V  L  C  R  E  L  Q  C 1501 gtctgtgattctgacttctctctggaggcggccagcgtgctgtgcagggaactacagtgc  521 G  T  V  V  S  L  L  G  G  A  H  F  G  E  G  S  G  Q  I  W 1561 ggcactgtggtttccctcctggggggagctcactttggagaaggaagtggacagatctgg  541 A  E  E  F  Q  C  E  G  H  E  S  H  L  S  L  C  P  V  A  P 1621 gctgaagaattccagtgtgaggggcacgagtcccacctttcactctgcccagtagcaccc  561 R  P  D  G  T  C  S  H  S  R  D  V  G  V  V  C  S  R  Y  T 1681 cgccctgacgggacatgtagccacagcagggacgtcggcgtagtctgctcaagatacaca  581 Q  I  R  L  V  N  G  K  T  P  C  E  G  R  V  E  L  N  I  L 1741 caaatccgcttggtgaatggcaagaccccatgtgaaggaagagtggagctcaacattctt  601 G  S  W  G  S  L  C  N  S  H  W  D  M  E  D  A  H  V  L  C 1801 gggtcctgggggtccctctgcaactctcactgggacatggaagatgcccatgttttatgc  621 Q  Q  L  K  C  G  V  A  L  S  I  P  G  G  A  P  F  G  K  G 1861 cagcagcttaaatgtggagttgccctttctatcccgggaggagcaccttttgggaaagga  641 S  E  Q  V  W  R  H  M  F  H  C  T  G  T  E  K  H  M  G  D 1921 agtgagcaggtctggaggcacatgtttcactgcactgggactgagaagcacatgggagat  661 C  S  V  T  A  L  G  A  S  L  C  S  S  G  Q  V  A  S  V  I 1981 tgttccgtcactgctctgggcgcatcactctgttcttcagggcaagtggcctctgtaatc  681 C  S  G  N  Q  S  Q  T  L  S  P  C  N  S  S  S  S  D  P  S 2041 tgctcagggaaccagagtcagacactatctccgtgcaattcatcatcctcggacccatca  701 S  S  I  I  S  E  E  N  G  V  A  C  I  G  S  G  Q  L  R  L 2101 agctctattatttcagaagaaaatggtgttgcctgcatagggagtggtcaacttcgcctg  721 V  D  G  G  G  R  C  A  G  R  V  E  V  Y  H  E  G  S  W  G 2161 gtcgatggaggtggtcgttgtgctgggagagtagaggtctatcatgagggctcctggggc  741 T  I  C  D  D  S  W  D  L  N  D  A  H  V  V  C  K  Q  L  S 2221 accatctgtgatgacagctgggacctgaatgatgcccatgtggtgtgcaaacagctgagc  761 C  G  W  A  I  N  A  T  G  S  A  H  F  G  E  G  T  G  P  I 2281 tgtggatgggccattaatgccactggttctgctcattttggggaaggaacagggcccatt  781 W  L  D  E  I  N  C  N  G  K  E  S  H  I  W  Q  C  H  S  H 2341 tggctggatgagataaactgtaatggaaaagaatctcatatttggcaatgccactcacat  801 G  W  G  R  H  N  C  R  H  K  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  E  F 2401 ggttgggggcggcacaattgcaggcataaggaggatgcaggagtcatctgctcagagttc  821 M  S  L  R  L  I  S  E  N  S  R  E  T  C  A  G  R  L  E  V 2461 atgtctctgagactgatcagtgaaaacagcagagagacctgtgcagggcgcctggaagtt  841 F  Y  N  G  A  W  G  S  V  G  R  N  S  M  S  P  A  T  V  G 2521 ttttacaacggagcttggggcagcgttggcaggaatagcatgtctccagccacagtgggg  861 V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  A  D  R  G  D  I  S  P  A  S  S  D 2581 gtggtatgcaggcagctgggctgtgcagacagaggggacatcagccctgcatcttcagac  881 K  T  V  S  R  H  M  W  V  D  N  V  Q  C  P  K  G  P  D  T 2641 aagacagtgtccaggcacatgtgggtggacaatgttcagtgtcctaaaggacctgacaca  901 L  W  Q  C  P  S  S  P  W  K  K  R  L  A  S  P  S  E  E  T 2701 ctatggcagtgcccatcatctccatggaagaagagactggccagcccctcagaggagaca  921 W  I  T  C  A  N  K  I  R  L  Q  E  G  N  T  N  C  S  G  R 2761 tggatcacatgtgccaacaaaataagacttcaagaaggaaacactaattgttctggacgt  941 V  E  I  W  Y  G  G  S  W  G  T  V  C  D  D  S  W  D  L  E 2821 gtggagatctggtacggaggttcctggggcactgtgtgtgacgactcctgggaccttgaa  961 D  A  Q  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  G  S  A  L  E  A  G  K  E 2881 gatgctcaggtggtgtgccgacagctgggctgtggctcagctttggaggcaggaaaagag  981 A  A  F  G  Q  G  T  G  P  I  W  L  N  E  V  K  C  K  G  N 2941 gccgcatttggccaggggactgggcccatatggctcaatgaagtgaagtgcaaggggaat 1001 E  T  S  L  W  D  C  P  A  R  S  W  G  H  S  D  C  G  H  K 3001 gaaacctccttgtgggattgtcctgccagatcctggggccacagtgactgtggacacaag 1021 E  D  A  A  V  T  C  S  E  I  A  K  S  R  E  S  L  H  A  T 3061 gaggatgctgctgtgacgtgctcagaaattgcaaagagccgagaatccctacatgccaca 1041 G  R  S  S  F  V  A  L  A  I  F  G  V  I  L  L  A  C  L  I 3121 ggtcgctcatcttttgttgcacttgcaatctttggggtcattctgttggcctgtctcatc 1061 A  F  L  I  W  T  Q  K  R  R  Q  R  Q  R  L  S  V  F  S  G 3181 gcattcctcatttggactcagaagcgaagacagaggcagcggctctcagttttctcagga 1081 G  E  N  S  V  H  Q  I  Q  Y  R  E  M  N  S  C  L  K  A  D 3241 ggagagaattctgtccatcaaattcaataccgggagatgaattcttgcctgaaagcagat 1101 E  T  D  M  L  N  P  S  G  D  H  S  E  V  Q 3301 gaaacggatatgctaaatccctcaggagaccactctgacctacaa    1 MDKLRMVLHE NSGSADFRRC SAHLSSFTFA VVAVLSACLV TSSLGGKDKE SEQ ID   51 LRLTGGENKC SGRVEVKVQE EWGTVCNNGW DMDVVSVVCR QLGCPTAIKA NO: 14  101 TGWANFSAGS GRIWMDHVSC RGNESALWDC KHDGWGKHNC THQQDAGVTC  151 SDGSDLEMGL VNGGNRCLGR IEVKFQGRWG TVCDDNFNIN HASVVCKQLE   201 CGSAVSFSGS ANFGEGSGPI WFDDLVCNGN ESALWNCKHE GWGKHNCDHA  251 EDAGVICLNG ADLKLRVVDG VTECSGRLEV KFQGEWGTIC DDGWDSDDAA  301 VACKQLGCPT AVTAIGRVNA SEGTGHIWLD SVSCHGHESA LWQCRHHEWG  351 KHYCNHDEDA GVTCSDGSDL ELRLKGGGSH CAGTVEVEIQ KLVGKVCDRS  401 WGLKEADVVC RQLGCGSALK TSYQVYSKTK ATNTWLFVSS CNGNETSLWD  451 CKNWQWGGLS CDHYDEAKIT CSAHRKPRLV GGDIPCSGRV EVQHGDTWGT  501 VCDSDFSLEA ASVLCRELQC GTVVSLLGGA HFGEGSGQIW AEEFQCEGHE  551 SHLSLCPVAP RPDGTCSHSR DVGVVCSRYT QIRLVNGKTP CEGRVELNIL  601 GSWGSLCNSH WDMEDAHVLC QQLKCGVALS IPGGAPFGKG SEQVWRHMFH  651 CTGTEKHMGD CSVTALGASL CSSGQVASVI CSGNQSQTLS PCNSSSSDPS  701 SSIISEENGV ACIGSGQLRL VDGGGRCAGR VEVYHEGSWG TICDDSWDLN  751 DAHVVCKQLS CGWAINATGS AHFGEGTGPI WLDEINCNGK ESHIWQCHSH  801 GWGRHNCRHK EDAGVICSEF MSLRLISENS RETCAGRLEV FYNGAWGSVG  851 RNSMSPATVG VVCRQLGCAD RGDISPASSD KTVSRHMWVD NVQCPKGPDT  901 LWQCPSSPWK KRLASPSEET WITCANKIRL QEGNTNCSGR VEIWYGGSWG  951 TVCDDSWDLE DAQVVCRQLG CGSALEAGKE AAFGQGTGPI WLNEVKCKGN 1001 ETSLWDCPAR SWGHSDCGHK EDAAVTCSEI AKSRESLHAT GRSSFVALAI 1051 FGVILLACLI AFLIWTQKRR QRQRLSVFSG GENSVHQIQY REMNSCLKAD 1101 ETDMLNPSGD HSEVQ

Sus CD163 v2 in pCRsusCD163v2 was liberated from pCR2.1 vector after restriction enzymes Kpn I and Not I digestion and gel purification. Recipient vector pCMV-script was also cut with the same restriction enzyme pair and allowed for directional cloning of susCD163v2 into the pCMV-script. After ligation of susCD163 v2 with pCMV-script, the ligated mixture was used to transform STBL 2 E. coli cells (Invitrogen). One transformant was found to contain the CD163 gene by restriction enzyme digestion analysis and was designed pCMV-script susCD163v2 clone#3.

Example 5 Preparation of a RSV Promoter Based Expression System by Direct Ligation and Transfection Method

A non-cloning based procedure to generate microgram quantities of linear DNA suitable for use in generating stable cell lines expressing CD163 from an RSV promoter was developed (FIG. 4). The procedure involves the isolation and ligation of two pieces of DNA, one containing the neomycin gene and RSV promoter cassette derived from pRSV-script, and the other containing the susCD163v2 coding sequence from pCMVsusCD163v2. Vector plasmid pRSV-Script was linearized with DraIII upstream of the neomycin gene, and bunted with the Klenow fragment of E. coli DNA polymerase. This plasmid was then digested with NotI immediately downstream of the RSV promoter. The pCMVsusCD163v2 clone was digested in the vector sequence downstream of the CD163 insert with DrdI, and blunted with Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase. The CD163 coding sequence was liberated from the vector with a Nod located immediately upstream of the CD163 coding sequence. For each plasmid digestion the appropriate fragments were purified from agarose gels. A large-scale ligation reaction was performed as follows. Approximately 20 μg of each DNA fragment was incubated in a volume of 600 μl with 15 units of T4 DNA ligase. The reaction was incubated at room temperature for 20 minutes, at which time an aliquot was removed and the reaction frozen on dry ice. Agarose gel analysis of the aliquot revealed that a significant amount of non-ligated DNA remained, so another 15 units of ligase was added and incubated for another 10 minutes at room temperature. Following ligation, a linear piece of DNA containing all of the appropriate elements was purified by agarose gel electrophoresis. Ligation of the two DNA fragments via the cohesive Not I termini resulted in the placement of the 5′ sequences of the CD163 gene downstream of the RSV promoter, allowing for directed expression of CD163 in mammalian cells. Once isolated, the purified DNA was used to transfect various mammalian cell lines.

Example 6 Cloning and Characterization of Human CD163 cDNA

Based on a known human CD163 cDNA sequence (GenBank Accession No. BC051281), a forward primer Hu5′Not (SEQ ID NO: 15) (5′CACCGCGGCCGCGAAGTTATAAATCGCCACCATGAGCAAACTCAGAAT GG-3′) and a reverse primer Hu3′Kpn (SEQ ID NO: 16) (5′-TGCTCCGGTACCTAGTCCAGGTCTTCATCAAGGTATCTTA-3′) were designed using the PrimerSelect program. Restriction sites for NotI and KpnI (underlined) were incorporated into the 5′ and 3′ primers, respectively, to facilitate cloning into expression vectors. The sequence CACC was added to the 5′ end of the 5′ primer to allow directional cloning into the pcDNA3.1DN5/V5/His/TOPO vector (Cat. No. K49001, Invitrogen, see FIG. 6). Human CD163 cDNAs were amplified from RNA extracted from the U937 cell line after stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (100 ng/ml) for 3 days. Total cellular RNA was prepared using the RNeasy kit (Qiagen). RT-PCR reactions and sequencing methods were the same as described in Example 4. PCR products were separated on 0.8% SeaKem agarose gel and extracted from the gel using the GeneClean kit. PCR products were cloned directionally into the pcDNA3.1D/V5/His/TOPO vector following the manufacturer's instructions. Two clones with large inserts were sequenced. Sequencing and sequence analysis methods were described in Example 4. A clone with a correct insert was designed “pcDNA3.1D-humCD163v2” and we have designated the sequence of the insert SEQ ID NO: 17

The CD163 open reading frame in pCDNA3.1D-humCD163v2 is 1121 residues in length (designated SEQ ID NO: 18 which encodes SEQ ID NO:19 disclosed below), and is 100% identical to Genbank Z22968 (a human CD163 cDNA of the same length). Our human CD163v2 sequence is also 100% identical to Genbank BC051281 and Z22969 (splice variants of human CD163) except that 42 nonhomologous residues in the two Genbank sequences replace the seven carboxy-terminal residues of our sequence. This difference is due to the presence of an 83-nucleotide exon in BC051281 and Z22969, and the resulting frame shift at the 3′ end of the exon. (Law, S. K., Micklem, K. J., Shaw, J. M., Zhang, X. P., Dong, Y., Willis, A. C. and Mason, D. Y. (1993) A new macrophage differentiation antigen which is a member of the scavenger receptor superfamily. European Journal of Immunology 23 (9), 2320-2325).

SEQUENCE ID NO atgagcaaac tcagaatggt gctacttgaa gactctggat ctgctgactt cagaagacat   60 SEQ ID tttgtcaacc tgagtccctt caccattact gtggtcttac ttctcagtgc ctgttttgtc  120 ID: 17 accagttctc ttggaggaac agacaaggag ctgaggctag tggatggtga aaacaagtgt  180 agcgggagag tggaagtgaa agtccaggag gagtggggaa cggtgtgtaa taatggctgg  240 agcatggaag cggtctctgt gatttgtaac cagctgggat gtccaactgc tatcaaagcc  300 cctggatggg ctaattccag tgcaggttct ggacgcattt ggatggatca tgtttcttgt  360 cgtgggaatg agtcagctct ttgggattgc aaacatgatg gatggggaaa gcatagtaac  420 tgtactcacc aacaagatgc tggagtgacc tgctcagatg gatccaattt ggaaatgagg  480 ctgacgcgtg gagggaatat gtgttctgga agaatagaga tcaaattcca aggacggtgg  540 ggaacagtgt gtgatgataa cttcaacata gatcatgcat ctgtcatttg tagacaactt  600 gaatgtggaa gtgctgtcag tttctctggt tcatctaatt ttggagaagg ctctggacca  660 atctggtttg atgatcttat atgcaacgga aatgagtcag ctctctggaa ctgcaaacat  720 caaggatggg gaaagcataa ctgtgaccat gctgaggatg ctggagtgat ttgctcaaag  780 ggagcagatc tgagcctgag actggtagat ggagtcactg aatgttcagg aagattagaa  840 gtgagattcc aaggggaatg ggggacaata tgtgatgacg gctgggacag ttacgatgct  900 gctgtggcat gcaagcaact gggatgtcca actgccgtca cagccattgg tcgagttaac  960 gccagtaagg gatttggaca catctggctt gacagcgttt cttgccaggg acatgaacct 1020 gctgtctggc aatgtaaaca ccatgaatgg ggaaagcatt attgcaatca caatgaagat 1080 gctggcgtga catgttctga tggatcagat ciggagctaa gacttagagg tggaggcagc 1140 cgctgtgctg ggacagttga ggtggagatt cagagactgt tagggaaggt gtgtgacaga 1200 ggctggggac tgaaagaagc tgatgtggtt tgcaggcagc tgggatgtgg atctgcactc 1260 aaaacatctt atcaagtgta ctccaaaatc caggcaacaa acacatggct gtttctaagt 1320 agctgtaacg gaaatgaaac ttctctttgg gactgcaaga actggcaatg gggtggactt 1380 acctgtgatc actatgaaga agccaaaatt acctgctcag cccacaggga acccagactg 1440 gttggagggg acattccctg ttctggacgt gttgaagtga agcatggtga cacgtggggc 1500 tccatctgtg attcggactt ctctctggaa gctgccagcg ttctatgcag ggaattacag 1560 tgtggcacag ttgtctctat cctgggggga gctcactttg gagagggaaa tggacagatc 1620 tgggctgaag aattccagtg tgagggacat gagtcccatc tttcactctg cccagtagca 1680 ccccgcccag aaggaacttg tagccacagc agggatgttg gagtagtctg ctcaagatac 1740 acagaaattc gcttggtgaa tggcaagacc ccgtgtgagg gcagagtgga gctcaaaacg 1800 cttggtgcct ggggatccct ctgtaactct cactgggaca tagaagatgc ccatgttctt 1860 tgccagcagc ttaaatgtgg agttgccctt tctaccccag gaggagcacg ttttggaaaa 1920 ggaaatggtc agatctggag gcatatgttt cactgcactg ggactgagca gcacatggga 1980 gattgtcctg taactgctct aggtgcttca ttatgtcctt cagagcaagt ggcctctgta 2040 atctgctcag gaaaccagtc ccaaacactg tcctcgtgca attcatcgtc tttgggccca 2100 acaaggccta ccattccaga agaaagtgct gtggcctgca tagagagtgg tcaacttcgc 2160 ctggtaaatg gaggaggtcg ctgtgctggg agagtagaga tctatcatga gggctcctgg 2220 ggcaccatct gtgatgacag ctgggacctg agtgatgccc acgtggtttg cagacagctg 2280 ggctgtggag aggccattaa tgccactggt tctgctcatt ttggggaagg aacagggccc 2340 atctggctgg atgagatgaa atgcaatgga aaagaatccc gcatttggca gtgccattca 2400 cacggctggg ggcagcaaaa ttgcaggcac aaggaggatg cgggagttat ctgctcagaa 2460 ttcatgtctc tgagactgac cagtgaagcc agcagagagg cctgtgcagg gcgtctggaa 2520 gttttttaca atggagcttg gggcactgtt ggcaagagta gcatgtctga aaccactgtg 2580 ggtgtggtgt gcaggcagct gggctgtgca gacaaaggga aaatcaaccc tgcatcttta 2640 gacaaggcca tgtccattcc catgtgggtg gacaatgttc agtgtccaaa aggacctgac 2700 acgctgtggc agtgcccatc atctccatgg gagaagagac tggccagccc ctcggaggag 2760 acctggatca catgtgacaa caagataaga cttcaggaag gacccacttc ctgttctgga 2820 cgtgtggaga tctggcatgg aggttcctgg gggacagtgt gtgatgactc ttgggacttg 2880 gacgatgctc aggtggtgtg tcaacaactt ggctgtggtc cagctttgaa agcattcaaa 2940 gaagcagagt ttggtcaggg gactggaccg atatggctca atgaagtgaa gtgcaaaggg 3000 aatgagtctt ccttgtggga ttgtcctgcc agacgctggg gccatagtga gtgtgggcac 3060 aaggaagacg ctgcagtgaa ttgcacagat atttcagtgc agaaaacccc acaaaaagcc 3120 acaacaggtc gctcatcccg tcagtcatcc tttattgcag tcgggatcct tggggttgtt 3180 ctgttggcca ttttcgtcgc attattcttc ttgactaaaa agcgaagaca gagacagcgg 3240 cttgcagttt cctcaagagg agagaactta gtccaccaaa ttcaataccg ggagatgaat 3300 tcttgcctga atgcagatga tctggaccta atgaattcct caggaggcca ttctgagcca 3360 cactgaaaag gaaaatggga atttataacc cagtgagttc agcctttaag ataccttgat 3420 gaagacctgg acta 3434    1 M  S  K  L  R  M  V  L  L  E  D  S  G  S  A  D  F  R  R  H SEQ ID    1 atgagcaaactcagaatggtgctacttgaagactctggatctgctgacttcagaagacat NO: 18   21 F  V  N  L  S  P  F  T  I  T  V  V  L  L  L  S  A  C  F  V and 19   61 tttgtcaacctgagtcccttcaccattactgtggtcttacttctcagtgcctgttttgtc   41 T  S  S  L  G  G  T  D  K  E  L  R  L  V  D  G  E  N  K  C  121 accagttctcttggaggaacagacaaggagctgaggctagtggatggtgaaaacaagtgt   61 S  G  R  V  E  V  K  V  Q  E  E  W  G  T  V  C  N  N G   W  181 agcgggagagtggaagtgaaagtccaggaggagtggggaacggtgtgtaataatggctgg   81 S  M  E  A  V  S  V  I  C  N  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  K  A  241 agcatggaagcggtctctgtgatttgtaaccagctgggatgtccaactgctatcaaagcc  101 P  G  W  A  N  S  S  A  G  S  G  R  I  W  M  D  H  V  S  C  301 cctggatgggctaattccagtgcaggttctggacgcatttggatggatcatgtttcttgt  121 R  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  D  C  K  H  D  G  W  G  K  H  S  N  361 cgtgggaatgagtcagctctttgggattgcaaacatgatggatggggaaagcatagtaac  141 C  T  H  Q  Q  D  A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  N  L  E  M  R  421 tgtactcaccaacaagatgctggagtgacctgctcagatggatccaatttggaaatgagg  161 L  T  R  G  G  N  M  C  S  G  R  I  E  I  K  F  Q  G  R  W  481 ctgacgcgtggagggaatatgtgttctggaagaatagagatcaaattccaaggacggtgg  181 G  T  V  C  D  D  N  F  N  I  D  H  A  S  V  I  C  R  Q  L  541 ggaacagtgtgtgatgataacttcaacatagatcatgcatctgtcatttgtagacaactt  201 E  C  G  S  A  V  S  F  S  G  S  S  N  F  G  E  G  S  G  P  601 gaatgtggaagtgctgtcagtttctctggttcatctaattttggagaaggctctggacca  221 I  W  F  D  D  L  I  C  N  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  N  C  K  H  661 atctggtttgatgatcttatatgcaacggaaatgagtcagctctctggaactgcaaacat  241 Q  G  W  K  H  N  C  H  D  H  A  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  K  721 caaggatggggaaagcataactgtgaccatgctgaggatgctggagtgatttgctcaaag  261 G  A  D  L  S  L  K  L  V  D  G  V  T  E  C  S  G  R  L  E  781 ggagcagatctgagcctgagactggtagatggagtcactgaatgttcaggaagattagaa  281 V  R  F  Q  G  E  W  G  T  I  C  D  D  G  W  D  S  Y  D  A  841 gtgagattccaaggggaatgggggacaatatgtgatgacggctgggacagttacgatgct  301 A  V  A  C  K  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  V  T  A  I  G  R  V  N  901 gctgtggcatgcaagcaactgggatgtccaactgccgtcacagccattggtcgagttaac  321 A  S  K  G  F  G  H  I  W  L  D  S  V  S  C  Q  G  H  E  P  961 gccagtaagggatttggacacatctggcttgacagcgtttcttgccagggacatgaacct  341 A  V  W  Q  C  K  H  H  E  W  G  K  H  Y  C  N  H  N  E  D 1021 gctgtctggcaatgtaaacaccatgaatggggaaagcattattgcaatcacaatgaagat  361 A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  L  R  L  R  G  G  G  S 1081 gctggcgtgacatgttctgatggatcagatctggagctaagacttagaggtggaggcagc  381 R  C  A  G  T  V  E  V  E  I  Q  R  L  L  G  K  V  C  D  R 1141 cgctgtgctgggacagttgaggtggagattcagagactgttagggaaggtgtgtgacaga  401 G  W  G  L  K  E  A  D  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  G  S  A  L 1201 ggctggggactgaaagaagctgatgtggtttgcaggcagctgggatgtggatctgcactc  421 K  T  S  Y  Q  V  Y  S  K  I  Q  A  T  N  T  W  L  F  L  S 1261 aaaacatcttatcaagtgtactccaaaatccaggcaacaaacacatggctgtttctaagt  441 S  C  N  G  N  E  T  S  L  W  D  C  K  N  W  Q  W  G  G  L 1321 agctgtaacggaaatgaaacttctctttgggactgcaagaactggcaatggggtggactt  461 T  C  D  H  Y  E  E  A  K  I  T  C  S  A  H  R  E  P  A  L 1381 acctgtgatcactatgaagaagccaaaattacctgctcagcccacagggaacccagactg  481 V  G  G  D  I  P  C  S  G  R  V  E  V  K  H  G  D  T  W  G 1441 gttggaggggacattccctgttctggacgtgttgaagtgaagcatggtgacacgtggggc  501 S  I  C  D  S  D  F  S  L  E  A  A  S  V  L  C  R  E  L  Q 1501 tccatctgtgattcggacttctctctggaagctgccagcgttctatgcagggaattacag  521 C  G  T  V  V  S  I  L  G  G  A  H  F  G  E  G  N  G  Q  I 1561 tgtggcacagttgtctctatcctggggggagctcactttggagagggaaatggacagatc  541 W  A  E  E  F  Q  C  E  G  H  E  S  H  L  S  L  C  P  V  A 1621 tgggctgaagaattccagtgtgagggacatgagtcccatctttcactctgcccagtagca  561 P  R  P  E  G  T  C  S  H  S  R  D  V  G  V  V  C  S  R  Y 1681 ccccgcccagaaggaacttgtagccacagcagggatgttggagtagtctgctcaagatac  581 T  E  I  R  L  V  N  G  K  T  P  C  E  G  R  V  E  L  K  T 1741 acagaaattcgcttggtgaatggcaagaccccgtgtgagggcagagtggagctcaaaacg  601 L  G  A  W  G  S  L  C  N  S  H  W  D  I  E  D  A  H  V  L 1801 cttggtgcctggggatccctctgtaactctcactgggacatagaagatgcccatgttctt  621 C  Q  Q  L  K  C  G  V  A  L  S  T  P  G  G  A  R  F  G  K 1861 tgccagcagcttaaatgtggagttgccctttctaccccaggaggagcacgttttggaaaa  641 G  N  G  Q  I  W  R  H  M  F  H  C  T  G  T  E  Q  H  M  G 1921 ggaaatggtcagatctggaggcatatgtttcactgcactgggactgagcagcacatggga  661 D  C  P  V  T  A  L  G  A  S  L  C  P  S  E  Q  V  A  S  V 1981 gattgtcctgtaactgctctaggtgcttcattatgtccttcagagcaagtggcctctgta  681 I  C  S  G  N  Q  S  Q  T  L  S  S  C  N  S  S  S  L  G  P 2041 atctgctcaggaaaccagtcccaaacactgtcctcgtgcaattcatcgtctttgggccca  701 T  R  P  T  I  P  E  E  S  A  V  A  C  I  E  S  G  Q  L  R 2101 acaaggcctaccattccagaagaaagtgctgtggcctgcatagagagtggtcaacttcgc  721 L  V  N  G  G  G  R  C  A  G  R  V  E  I  Y  H  E  G  S  W 2161 ctggtaaatggaggaggtcgctgtgctgggagagtagagatctatcatgagggctcctgg  741 G  T  I  C  D  D  S  W  D  L  S  D  A  H  V  V  C  R  Q  L 2221 ggcaccatctgtgatgacagctgggacctgagtgatgcccacgtggtttgcagacagctg  761 G  C  G  E  A  I  N  A  T  G  S  A  H  F  G  E  G  T  G  P 2281 ggctgtggagaggccattaatgccactggttctgctcattttggggaaggaacagggccc  781 I  W  L  D  E  M  K  C  N  G  K  E  S  R  I  W  Q  C  H  S 2341 atctggctggatgagatgaaatgcaatggaaaagaatcccgcatttggcagtgccattca  801 H  G  W  G  Q  Q  N  C  R  H  K  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  E 2401 cacggctgggggcagcaaaattgcaggcacaaggaggatgcgggagttatctgctcagaa  821 F  M  S  L  R  L  T  S  E  A  S  R  E  A  C  A  G  R  L  E 2461 ttcatgtctctgagactgaccagtgaagccagcagagaggcctgtgcagggcgtctggaa  841 V  F  Y  N  G  A  W  G  T  V  G  K  S  S  M  S  E  T  T  V 2521 gttttttacaatggagcttggggcactgttggcaagagtagcatgtctgaaaccactgtg  861 G  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  A  D  K  G  K  I  N  P  A  S  L 2581 ggtgtggtgtgcaggcagctgggctgtgcagacaaagggaaaatcaaccctgcatcttta  881 D  K  A  M  S  I  P  M  W  V  D  N  V  Q  C  P  K  G  P  D 2641 gacaaggccatgtccattcccatgtgggtggacaatgttcagtgtccaaaaggacctgac  901 T  L  W  Q  C  P  S  S  P  W  E  K  R  L  A  S  P  S  E  E 2701 acgctgtggcagtgcccatcatctccatgggagaagagactggccagcccctcggaggag  921 T  W  I  T  C  D  N  K  I  R  L  Q  E  G  P  T  S  C  S  G 2761 acctggatcacatgtgacaacaagataagacttcaggaaggacccacttcctgttctgga  941 R  V  E  I  W  H  G  G  S  W  G  T  V  C  D  D  S  W  D  L 2821 cgtgtggagatctggcatggaggttcctgggggacagtgtgtgatgactcttgggacttg  961 D  D  A  Q  V  V  C  Q  Q  L  G  C  G  P  A  L  K  A  F  K 2881 gacgatgctcaggtggtgtgtcaacaacttggctgtggtccagctttgaaagcattcaaa  981 E  A  E  F  G  Q  G  T  G  P  I  W  L  N  E  V  K  C  K  G 2941 gaagcagagtttggtcaggggactggaccgatatggctcaatgaagtgaagtgcaaaggg 1001 N  E  S  S  L  W  D  C  P  A  R  R  W  G  H  S  E  C  G  H 3001 aatgagtcttccttgtgggattgtcctgccagacgctggggccatagtgagtgtgggcac 1021 K  E  D  A  A  V  N  C  T  D  I  S  V  Q  K  T  P  Q  K  A 3061 aaggaagacgctgcagtgaattgcacagatatttcagtgcagaaaaccccacaaaaagcc 1041 T  T  G  R  S  S  R  Q  S  S  F  I  A  V  G  I  L  G  V  V 3121 acaacaggtcgctcatcccgtcagtcatcctttattgcagtcgggatccttggggttgtt 1061 L  L  A  I  F  V  A  L  F  F  L  T  K  K  A  R  Q  R  Q  R 3181 ctgttggccattttcgtcgcattattcttcttgactaaaaagcgaagacagagacagcgg 1081 L  A  V  S  S  R  G  E  N  L  V  H  Q  I  Q  Y  R  E  M  N 3241 cttgcagtttcctcaagaggagagaacttagtccaccaaattcaataccgggagatgaat 1101 S  C  L  N  A  D  D  L  D  L  M  N  S  S  G  G  H  S  E  P 3301 tcttgcctgaatgcagatgatctggacctaatgaattcctcaggaggccattctgagcca 1121 H 3361  cac    1 MSKLRMVLLE DSGSADFRRH FVNLSPFTIT VVLLLSACFV TSSLGGTDKE SEE ID   51 LRLVDGENKC SGRVEVKVQE EWGTVCNNGW SMEAVSVICN QLGCPTAIKA NO: 19  101 PGWANSSAGS GRIWMDHVSC RGNESALWDC KHDGWGKHSN CTHQQDAGVT  151 CSDGSNLEMR LTRGGNMCSG RIEIKFQGRW GTVCDDNFNI DHASVICRQL  201 ECGSAVSFSG SSNFGEGSGP IWFDDLICNG NESALWNCKH QGWGKHNCDH  251 AEDAGVICSK GADLSLRLVD GVTECSGRLE VRFQGEWGTI CDDGWDSYDA  301 AVACKQLGCP TAVTAIGRVN ASKGFGHIWL DSVSCQGHEP AVWQCKHHEW  351 GKHYCNHNED AGVICSOGSD LELRLRGGGS RCAGTVEVEI QRLLGKVCDR  401 GWGLKEADVV CRQLGCGSAL KTSYQVYSKI QATNTWLFLS SCNGNETSLW  451 DCKNWQWGGL TCDRYEEAKI TCSAHREPRL VGGDIPCSGR VEVKHGDTWG  501 SICDSDFSLE AASVLCRELQ CGTVVSILGG AHFGEGNGQI WAEEFQCEGH  551 ESHLSLCPVA PRPEGTCSHS RDVGVVCSRY TEIRLVNGKT PCEGRVELKT  601 LGAWGSLCNS HWDIEDAHVL CQQLKCGVAL STPGGARFGK GNGQIWRHMF  651 HCTGTEQHMG DCPVTALGAS LCPSEQVASV ICSGNQSQTL SSCNSSSLGP  701 TRPTIPEESA VACIESGQLR LVNGGGRCAG RVEIYHEGSW GTICDDSWDL  751 SDAHVVCRQL GCGEAINATG SAHFGEGTGP IWLDEMKCNG KESRIWQCHS  801 HGWGQQNCRH KEDAGVICSE FMSLRLTSEA SREACAGRLE VFYNGAWGTV  851 GKSSMSETTV GVVCRQLGCA DKGKINPASL DKAMSIPMWV DNVQCPKGPD  901 TLWQCPSSPW EKRLASPSEE TWITCDNKIR LQEGPTSCSG RVEIWHGGSW  951 GTVCDDSWDL DDAQVVCQQL GCGPALKAFK EAEFGQGTGP IWLNEVKCKG 1001 NESSLWDCPA RRWGHSECGH KIIOAVNCTD ISVQKTPQKA TTGRSSRQSS 1051 FIAVGILGVV LLAIFVALFF LTKKRRQRQR LAVSSRGENL VHQIQYREMN 1101 SCLNADDLDL MNSSGGHSEP H

Example 7 Cloning and Characterization of Murine CD163

Based on the murine CD163 sequence in GenBank (AF274883), a forward primer Mus-new5′ (SEQ ID NO: 20) (5′-CACCGCGGCCGCCACACGGAGCCATCAAAATCATCAA-3′) and a reverse primer Mus-new3′ (SEQ ID NO:21) (5′-GGTACCGCGAACAAGCAAACCAATAGCAATATTGTTTAATTCCCTC-3′) were designed using the PrimerSelect program. Restriction endonucleases sites for NotI and KpnI were included in 5′ and 3′ primers, respectively, to allow future cloning into other expression vectors. Mouse peritoneal macrophages were harvested from mice 2 days after injecting thioglycollate medium into the peritoneal cavity. Total cellular RNA was prepared from peritoneal macrophages using the RNeasy kit. RT-PCR reactions and RT-PCR parameters were the same as described in Example 4, except the annealing temperature was increased to 60° C. and extension temperature increased to 72° C. The PCR product was purified on a 0.8% SeaKem agarose gel and directionally cloned into pcDNA3.1D/V5/His/TOPO according to the manufacturer's instructions. Several clones with large inserts were identified for further analysis. A plasmid containing an insert (SEQ ID NO: 22) with a murine CD163 that encodes a protein of the same length as (1121 amino acids SEQ ID NO:24) and differs from Genbank AF274883 by only two amino acids (99.8% identity) was designated “pcDNA3.1D-murCD163v2”.

Another plasmid, “pcDNA3.1D-murCD163v3 was generated which contained an insert (SEQ ID NO: 25) containing a murine CD163 coding sequence (SEQ ID NO: 26) which encodes a protein of 1159 amino acids in length (SEQ ID NO: 27). It differs from AF274883 by only 3 amino acids within the first 1107 residues (99.7% identity), but the sequences diverge completely beginning at residue 1108. This is due to an insertion of 82 nucleotides in the cDNA, and a concomitant shift in reading frame downstream of the insertion. As a result, murine CD163v3 contains 52 amino acids at its carboxy-terminus that are not homologous to the 14 carboxy-terminal residues of murine CD163v2. These two alternative versions of “full length” murine CD163 are most likely splice variant of the same gene, as has been described for human CD163 (Law, S. K., Micklem, K. J., Shaw, J. M., Zhang, X. P., Dong, Y., Willis, A. C. and Mason, D. Y. (1993) A new macrophage differentiation antigen which is a member of the scavenger receptor superfamily. European Journal of Immunology 23 (9), 2320-2325).

SEQUENCE ID NO gctttggaat gggtggacac agaatggttc ttcttggagg tgctggatct cctggttgta   60 SEQ ID aaaggtttgt ccatctaggt ttctttgttg tggctgtgag ctcacttctc agtgcctctg  120 NO: 22 ctgtcactaa cgctcctgga gaaatgaaga aggaactgag actggcgggt ggtgaaaaca  180 actgtagtgg gagagtggaa cttaagatcc atgacaagtg gggcacagtg tgcagtaacg  240 gctggagcat gaatgaagtg tccgtggttt gccagcagct gggatgccca acttctatta  300 aagcccttgg atgggctaac tccagcgccg gctctggata tatctggatg gacaaagttt  360 cttgtacagg gaatgagtca gctctttggg actgcaaaca tgatgggtgg ggaaagcata  420 actgtaccca tgaaaaagat gctggagtga cctgctcaga tggatctaat ttggagatga  480 gactggtgaa cagtgcgggc caccgatgct taggaagagt agaaataaag ttccagggaa  540 agtgggggac ggtgtgtgac gacaacttca gcaaagatca cgcttctgtg atttgtaaac  600 agcttggatg tggaagtgcc attagtttct ctggctcagc taaattggga gctggttctg  660 gaccaatctg gctcgatgac ctggcatgca atggaaatga gtcagctctc tgggactgca  720 aacaccgggg atggggcaag cataactgtg accatgctga ggatgtcggt gtgatttgct  780 tagagggagc agatctgagc ctgagactag tggatggagt gtccagatgt tcaggaagat  840 tggaagtgag attccaagga gaatggggga ccgtgtgtga tgataactgg gatctccggg  900 atgcttctgt ggtgtgcaag caactgggat gtccaactgc catcagtgcc attggtcgag  960 ttaatgccag tgagggatct ggacagattt ggcttgacaa catttcatgc gaaggacatg 1020 aggcaactct ttgggagtgt aaacaccaag agtggggaaa gcattactgt catcatagag 1080 aagacgctgg cgtgacatgt tctgatggag cagatctgga acttagactt gtaggtggag 1140 gcagtcgctg tgctggcatt gtggaggtgg agattcagaa gctgactggg aagatgtgta 1200 gccgaggctg gacactggca gatgcggatg tggtttgcag acagcttgga tgtggatctg 1260 cgcttcaaac ccaggctaag atctactcta aaactggggc aacaaatacg tggctctttc 1320 ctggatcttg taatggaaat gaaactactt tttggcaatg caaaaactgg cagtggggcg 1380 gcctttcctg tgataatttc gaagaagcca aagttacctg ctcaggccac agggaaccca 1440 gactggttgg aggagaaatc ccatgctctg gtcgtgtgga agtgaaacac ggagacgtgt 1500 ggggctccgt ctgtgatttt gacttgtctc tggaagctgc cagtgtggtg tgcagggaat 1560 tacaatgtgg aacagtcgtc tctatcctag ggggagcaca ttttggagaa ggaagtggac 1620 agatctgggg tgaagaattc cagtgtagtg gggatgagtc ccatctttca ctatgctcag 1680 tggcgccccc gctagacaga acttgtaccc acagcaggga tgtcagcgta gtctgctcac 1740 gatacataga tattcgtctg gcaggcggcg agtcctcctg tgagggaaga gtggagctca 1800 agacactcgg agcctggggt cccctctgca gttctcattg ggacatggaa gatgctcatg 1860 tcttatgtca gcagctgaag tgtggggttg cccaatctat tccagaagga gcacattttg 1920 ggaaaggagc tggtcaggtc tggagtcaca tgttccactg cactggaact gaggaacata 1980 taggagattg cctcatgact gctctgggtg cgccgacgtg ttccgaagga caggtggcct 2040 ctgtcatctg ctcaggaaac caatcccaga cactattgcc atgtagttca ttgtctccag 2100 tccaaacaac aagctctaca attccaaagg agagtgaagt tccctgcata gcaagtggcc 2160 agcttcgctt ggtaggtgga ggtggtcgct gcgctggaag agtggaggtc taccacgagg 2220 gctcttgggg caccgtctgt gatgacaatt gggatatgac tgatgccaat gtggtgtgca 2280 agcagctgga ctgtggcgtg gcaattaacg ccactggctc tgcttacttc ggggaaggag 2340 caggagctat ctggctagac gaagtcatct gcactgggaa agagtctcat atttggcagt 2400 gccattcaca tggctgggga cgccataact gcaggcacaa agaagatgca ggtgttatct 2460 gctccgagtt catgtctctg aggctgacca acgaagccca caaagaaaac tgcacaggtc 2520 gccttgaagt gttttacaat ggtacatggg gcagtattgg cagtagcaat atgtctccaa 2580 ccactgtggg ggtggtgtgc cgtcagctgg gctgtgcaga caacgggact gtgaaaccca 2640 taccttcaga caagacacca tccaggccca tgtgggtaga tcgtgtgcag tgtccaaaag 2700 gagttgacac tttgtggcag tgcccctcgt caccttggaa acagagacag gccagcccct 2760 cctcccagga gtcctggatc atctgtgaca acaaaataag actccaggaa gggcatacag 2820 actgttctgg acgtgtggag atctggcaca aaggttcctg gggaacagtg tgtgatgact 2880 cctgggatct taatgatgct aaggttgtat gtaagcagtt gggctgtggc caagctgtga 2940 aggcactaaa agaagcagca tttggtccag gaactgggcc catatggctc aatgaaatta 3000 agtgtagagg gaatgagtct tccctgtggg attgtcctgc caaaccgtgg agtcacagcg 3060 actgtgggca caaagaagat gcttccatcc agtgcctccc aaaaatgact tcagaatcac 3120 atcatggcac aggtcacccc accctcacgg cactcttggt ttgtggagcc attctattgg 3180 toctcctcat tgtcttcctc ctgtggactc tgaagcgacg acagattcag cgacttacag 3240 tttcctcaag aggagaggtc ttgatacatc aagttcagta ccaagagatg gattcaaagg 3300 cggatgatct ggacttgctg aaatcctcgg gggtcattca gaggcacact gagaaggaaa 3360 atgataattt ataatccact gaggttggag tttaagaagc cttgacagga cagccagcta 3420 aatggaacaa gagcccaggc aacgcacgga tgaccacagc tgcatcttca tgcagtcctt 3480 tgtttcctgg aactctgctg aacctgcaaa aaccatattt gtgaatgtga ccacttaata 3540 gagatgggag actttt 3556    1 M  G  G  H  R  M  V  L  L  G  G  A  G  S  P  G  C  K  R  F SEQ ID    1 atgggtggacacagaatggttcttcttggaggtgctggatctcctggttgtaaaaggttt NO: 23   21 V  H  L  G  F  F  V  V  A  V  S  S  L  L  S  A  S  A  V  T and 24   61 gtccatctaggtttctttgttgtggctgtgagctcacttctcagtgcctctgctgtcact   41 N  A  P  G  E  M  K  K  E  L  R  L  A  G  G  E  N  N  C  S  121 aacgctcctggagaaatgaagaaggaactgagactggcgggtggtgaaaacaactgtagt   61 C  R  V  E  L  K  I  H  D  K  W  G  T  V  C  S  N  G  W  S  181 gggagagtggaacttaagatccatgacaagtggggcacagtgtgcagtaacggctggagc   81 M  N  E  V  S  V  V  C  Q  Q  L  G  C  P  T  S  I K  A   L  241 atgaatgaagtgtccgtggtttgccagcagctgggatgcccaacttctattaaagccctt  101 G  W  A  N  S  S  A  G  S  G  Y  I  W  M  D  K  V  S  C  T  301 ggatgggctaactccagcgccggctctggatatatctggatggacaaagtttcttgtaca  121 G  N  E  S  A  L  W  D  C  K  H  D  G  W  G  K  H  N C   T  361 gggaatgagtcagctctttgggactgcaaacatgatgggtggggaaagcataactgtacc  141 H  E  K  D  A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  N  L  E  M  R  L  V  421 catgaaaaagatgctggagtgacctgctcagatggatctaatttggagatgagactggtg  161 N  S  A  G  H  R  C  L  G  R  V  E  I  K  F  Q  G  K  W  G  481 aacagtgcgggccaccgatgcttaggaagagtagaaataaagttccagggaaagtggggg  181 T  V  C  D  D  N  F  S  K  D  H  A  S  V  I  C  K  Q  L  G  541 acggtgtgtgacgacaacttcagcaaagatcacgcttctgtgatttgtaaacagcttgga  201 C G   S  A  I  S  F  S  G  S  A  K  L  G  A  G  S  G  P  I  601 tgtggaagtgccattagtttctctggctcagctaaattgggagctggttctggaccaatc  221 W  L  D  D  L  A  C  N  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  D  C  K  H  R  661 tggctcgatgacctggcatgcaatggaaatgagtcagctctctgggactgcaaacaccgg  241 G  W  G  K  H  N  C  D  H  A  E  D  V  G  V  I  C  L  E  G  721 ggatggggcaagcataactgtgaccatgctgaggatgtcggtgtgatttgcttagaggga  261 A  D  L  S  L  R  L  V  D  G  V  S  R  C  S  G  R  L  E  V  781 gcagatctgagcctgagactagtggatggagtgtccagatgttcaggaagattggaagtg  281 R  F  Q  G  E  W  G  T  V  C  D  D  N  W  D  L  R  D  A  S  841 agattccaaggagaatgggggaccgtgtgtgatgataactgggatctccgggatgcttct  301 V  V  C  K  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  S  A  I  G  R  V  N  A  901 gtggtgtgcaagcaactgggatgtccaactgccatcagtgccattggtcgagttaatgcc  321 S  E  G  S  G  Q  I  W  L  D  N  I  S  C  E  G  H  E  A  T  961 agtgagggatctggacagatttggcttgacaacatttcatgcgaaggacatgaggcaact  341 L  W  E  C  K  H  Q  E  W  G  K  H  Y  C  H  H  R  E  D  A 1021 ctttgggagtgtaaacaccaagagtggggaaagcattactgtcatcatagagaagacgct  361 G  V  T  C  S  D  G  A  D  L  E  L  R  L  V  G  G  G  S  R 1081 ggcgtgacatgttctgatggagcagatctggaacttagacttgtaggtggaggcagtcgc  381 C  A  G  I  V  E  V  E  I  Q  K  L  T  G  K  M  C  S  R  G 1141 tgtgctggcattgtggaggtggagattcagaagctgactgggaagatgtgtagccgaggc  401 W  T  L  A  D  A  D  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  G  S  A  L  Q 1201 tggacactggcagatgcggatgtggtttgcagacagcttggatgtggatctgcgcttcaa  421 T  Q  A  K  I  Y  S  K  T  G  A  T  N  T  W  L  F  P  G  S 1261 acccaggctaagatctactctaaaactggggcaacaaatacgtggctctttcctggatct  441 C  N  G  N  E  T  T  F  W  Q  C  K  N  W  Q  W  G  G  L  S 1321 tgtaatggaaatgaaactactttttggcaatgcaaaaactggcagtggggcggcctttcc  461 C  D  N  F  E  E  A  K  V  T  C  S  G  H  R  E  P  R  L  V 1381 tgtgataatttcgaagaagccaaagttacctgctcaggccacagggaacccagactggtt  481 G  G  E  I  P  C  S  G  R  V  E  V  K  H  G  D  V  W  G  S 1441 ggaggagaaatcccatgctctggtcgtgtggaagtgaaacacggagacgtgtggggctcc  501 V  C  D  F  D  L  S  L  E  A  A  S  V  V  C  R  E  L  Q  C 1501 gtctgtgattttgacttgtctctggaagctgccagtgtggtgtgcagggaattacaatgt  521 G  T  V  V  S  I  L  G  G  A  H  F  G  E  G  S  G  Q  I  W 1561 ggaacagtcgtctctatcctagggggagcacattttggagaaggaagtggacagatctgg  541 G  E  E  F  Q  C  S  G  D  E  S  H  L  S  L  C  S  V  A  P 1621 ggtgaagaattccagtgtagtggggatgagtcccatctttcactatgctcagtggcgccc  561 P  L  D  R  T  C  T  H  S  R  D  V  S  V  V  C  S  R  Y  I 1681 ccgctagacagaacttgtacccacagcagggatgtcagcgtagtctgctcacgatacata  581 D  I  R  L  A  G  G  E  S  S  C  E  G  R  V  E  L  K  T  L 1741 gatattcgtctggcaggcggcgagtcctcctgtgagggaagagtggagctcaagacactc  601 G  A  W  G  P  L  C  S  S  H  W  D  M  E  D  A  H  V  L  C 1801 ggagcctggggtcccctctgcagttctcattgggacatggaagatgctcatgtcttatgt  621 Q  Q  L  K  C  G  V  A  Q  S  I  P  E  G  A  H  F  G  K  G 1861 cagcagctgaagtgtggggttgcccaatctattccagaaggagcacattttgggaaagga  641 A  G  Q  V  W  S  H  M  F  H  C  T  G  T  E  E  H  I  G  D 1921 gctggtcaggtctggagtcacatgttccactgcactggaactgaggaacatataggagat  661 C  L  M  T  A  L  G  A  P  T  C  S  E  G  Q  V  A  S  V  I   1981 tgcctcatgactgctctgggtgcgccgacgtgttccgaaggacaggtggcctctgtcatc  681 C  S  G  N  Q  S  Q  T  L  L  P  C  S  S  L  S  P  V  Q  T 2041 tgctcaggaaaccaatcccagacactattgccatgtagttcattgtctccagtccaaaca  701 T  S  S  T  I  P  K  E  S  E  V  P  C  I  A  S  G  Q  L  R 2101 acaagctctacaattccaaaggagagtgaagttccctgcatagcaagtggccagcttcgc  721 L  V  G  G  G  G  R  C  A  G  R  V  E  V  Y  H  E  G  S  W 2161 ttggtaggtggaggtggtcgctgcgctggaagagtggaggtctaccacgagggctcttgg  741 G  T  V  C  D  D  N  W  D  M  T  D  A  N  V  V  C  K  Q  L 2221 ggcaccgtctgtgatgacaattgggatatgactgatgccaatgtggtgtgcaagcagctg  761 D  C  G  V  A  I  N  A  T  G  S  A  Y  F  G  E  G  A  G  A 2281 gactgtggcgtggcaattaacgccactggctctgcttacttcggggaaggagcaggagct  781 I  W  L  D  E  V  I  C  T  G  K  E  S  H  I  W  Q  C  H  S 2341 atctggctagacgaagtcatctgcactgggaaagagtctcatatttggcagtgccattca  801 H  G  W  G  R  H  N  C  R  H  K  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  E 2401 catggctggggacgccataactgcaggcacaaagaagatgcaggtgttatctgctccgag  821 F  M  S  L  R  L  T  N  E  A  H  K  E  N  C  T  G  R  L  E 2461 ttcatgtctctgaggctgaccaacgaagcccacaaagaaaactgcacaggtcgccttgaa  841 V  F  Y  N  G  T  W  G  S  I  G  S  S  N  M  S  P  T  T  V 2521 gtgttttacaatggtacatggggcagtattggcagtagcaatatgtctccaaccactgtg  861 G  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  A  D  N  G  T  V  K  P  I  P  S 2581 ggggtggtgtgccgtcagctgggctgtgcagacaacgggactgtgaaacccataccttca  881 D  K  T  P  S  R  P  M  W  V  D  R  V  Q  C  P  K  G  V  D 2641 gacaagacaccatccaggcccatgtgggtagatcgtgtgcagtgtccaaaaggagttgac  901 T  L  W  Q  C  P  S  S  P  W  K  Q  R  Q  A  S  P  S  S  Q 2701 actttgtggcagtgcccctcgtcaccttggaaacagagacaggccagcccctcctcccag  921 E  S  W  I  I  C  D  N  K  I  R  L  Q  E  G  H  T  D  C  S 2761 gagtcctggatcatctgtgacaacaaaataagactccaggaagggcatacagactgttct  941 G  R  V  E  I  W  H  K  G  S  W  G  T  V  C  D  D  S  W  D 2821 ggacgtgtggagatctggcacaaaggttcctggggaacagtgtgtgatgactcctgggat  961 L  N  D  A  K  V  V  C  K  Q  L  G  C  G  Q  A  V  K  A  L 2881 cttaatgatgctaaggttgtatgtaagcagttgggctgtggccaagctgtgaaggcacta  981 K  E  A  A  F  G  P  G  T  G  P  I  W  L  N  E  I  K  C  R 2941 aaagaagcagcatttggtccaggaactgggcccatatggctcaatgaaattaagtgtaga 1001 G  N  E  S  S  L  W  D  C  P  A  K  P  W  S  H  S  D  C  G 3001 gggaatgagtcttccctgtgggattgtcctgccaaaccgtggagtcacagcgactgtggg 1021 H  K  E  D  A  S  I  Q  C  L  P  K  M  T  S  E  S  H  H  G 3061 cacaaagaagatgcttccatccagtgcctcccaaaaatgacttcagaatcacatcatggc 1041 T  G  H  P  T  L  T  A  L  L  V  C  G  A  I  L  L  V  L  L 3121 acaggtcaccccaccctcacggcactcttggtttgtggagccattctattggtcctcctc 1061 I  V  F  L  L  W  T  L  K  R  R  Q  I  Q  R  L  T  V  S  S 3181 attgtcttcctcctgtggactctgaagcgacgacagattcagcgacttacagtttcctca 1081 R  G  E  V  L  I  H  Q  V  Q  Y  Q  E  M  D  S  K  A  D  D 3241 agaggagaggtcttgatacatcaagttcagtaccaagagatggattcaaaggcggatgat 1101 L  D  L  L  K  S  S  G  V  I  Q  R  H  T  E  K  E  N  D  N 3301 ctggacttgctgaaatcctcgggggtcattcagaggcacactgagaaggaaaatgataat 1121 L 3361 tta    1 MGGHRMVLLG GAGSPGCKRF VHLGFFVVAV SSLLSASAVT NAPGEMKKEL SEQ ID   51 RLAGGENNCS GRVELKIHDK WGTVCSNGWS MNEVSVVCQQ LGCPTSIKAL NO: 24  101 GWANSSAGSG YIWMDKVSCT GNESALWDCK HDGWGKHNCT HEKDAGVTCS  151 DGSNLEMRLV NSAGHRCLGR VEIKFQGKWG TVCDDNFSKD HASVICKQLG  201 CGSAISFSGS AKLGAGSGPI WLDDLACNGN ESALWDCKHR GWGKHNCDHA  251 EDVGVICLEG ADLSLRLVDG VSRCSGRLEV RFQGEWGTVC DDNWDLRDAS  301 VVCKQLGCPT AISAIGRVNA SEGSGQIWLD NISCEGHEAT LWECKHQEWG  351 KHYCHEREDA GVTCSDGADL ELRLVGGGSR CAGIVEVEIQ KLTGKMCSRG  401 WTLADADVVC RQLGCGSALQ TQAKIYSKTG ATNTWLFPGS CNGNETTFWQ  451 CKNWQWGGLS CDNEFEAKVT CSGHREPRLV GGEIPCSGRV EVKHGDVWGS  501 VCDFDLSLEA ASVVCRELQC GTVVSILGGA HFGEGSGQIW GEEFQCSGDE  551 SHLSLCSVAP PLDRTCTHSR DVSVVCSRYI DIRLAGGESS CEGRVELKTL  601 GAWGPLCSSH WDMEDAHVLC QQLKCGVAQS IPEGAHFGKG AGQVWSHMFH  651 CTGTEEHIGD CLMTALGAPT CSEGQVASVI CSGNQSQTLL PCSSLSPVQT  701 TSSTIPKESE VPCIASGQLR LVGGGGRCAG RVEVYHEGSW GTVCDDNWDM  751 TDANVVCKQL DCGVAINATG SAYFGEGAGA IWLDEVICTG KESHIWQCHS  801 HGWGRHNCRH KEDAGVICSE FMSLRLTNEA HKENCTGRLE VFYNGTWGSI  851 GSSNMSPTTV GVVCRQLGCA DNGTVKPIPS DKTPSRPMWV DRVQCPKGVD  901 TLWQCPSSPW KQRQASPSSQ ESWIICDNKI RLQEGHTDCS GRVEIWHKGS  951 WGTVCDDSWD LNDAKVVCKQ LGCGQAVKAL KEAAFGPGTG PIWLNEIKCR 1001 GNESSLWDCP AKPWSHSDCG HKEDASIQCL PKMTSESHHG TGHPTLTALL 1051 VCGAILLVLL IVFLLWTLKR RQIQRLTVSS RGEVLIHQVQ YQEMDSKADD 1101 LDLLKSSGVI QRHTEKENDN L gctttggaat gggtggacac agaatggttc ttcttggagg tgctggatct cctggttgta   60 ID NO: 25 aaaggtttgt ccatctaggt ttctttgttg tggctgtgag ctcacttctc agtgcctctg  120 ctgtcactaa cgctcctgga gaaatgaaga aggaactgag actggcgggt ggtgaaaaca  180 actgtagtgg gagagtggaa cttaagatcc atgacaagtg gggcacagtg tgcagtaacg  240 gctggagcat gaatgaagtg tccgtggttt gccagcagct gggatgccca acttctatta  300 aagcccttgg atgggctaac tccagcgccg gctctggata tatctggatg gacaaagttt  360 cttgtacagg gaatgagtca gctctttggg actgcaaaca tgatgggtgg ggaaagcata  420 actgtaccca tgaaaaagat gctggagtga cctgctcaga tggatctaat ttggagatga  480 gactggtgaa cagtgcgggc caccgatgct taggaagagt agaaataaag ttccagggaa  540 agtgggggac ggtgtgtgac gacaacttca gcaaagatca cgcttctgtg atttgtaaac  600 agcttggatg tggaagtgcc attagtttct ctggctcagc taaattggga gctggttctg  660 gaccaatctg gctcgatgac ctggcatgca atggaaatga gtcagctctc tgggactgca  720 aacaccgggg atggggcaag cataactgtg accatgctga ggatgtcggt gtgatttgct  780 tagagggagc agatctgagc ctgagactag tggatggagt gtccagatgt tcaggaagat  840 tggaagtgag attccaagga gaatggggga ccgtgtgtga tgataactgg gatctccggg  900 atgcttctgt ggtgtgcaag caactgggat gtccaactgc catcagtgcc attggtcgag  960 ttaatgccag tgagggatct ggacagattt ggcttgacaa catttcatgc gaaggaaatg 1020 aggcaactct ttgggagtgt aaacaccaag agtggggaaa gcattactgt catcatagag 1080 aagacgctgg cgtgacatgt tctgatggag cagatctgga acttagactt gtaggtggag 1140 gcagtcgctg tgctggcatt gtggaggtgg agattcagaa gctgactggg aagatgtgta 1200 gccgaggctg gacactggca gatgcggatg tggtttgcag acagcttgga tgtggatctg 1260 cgcttcaaac ccaggctaag atctactcta aaactggggc aacaaatacg tggctctttc 1320 ctggatcttg taatggaaat gaaactactt tttggcaatg caaaaactgg cagtggggcg 1380 gcctttcctg tgataatttc gaagaagcca aagttacctg ctcaggccac agggaaccca 1440 gactggttgg aggagaaatc ccatgctctg gtcgtgtgga aatgaaacac ggagacgtgt 1500 ggggctccgt ctgtgatttt gacttgtctc tggaagctgc cagtgtggtg tgcagggaat 1560 tacaatgtgg aacagtcgtc tctatcctag ggggagcaca ttttggagaa ggaagtggac 1620 agatctgggg tgaagaattc cagtgtagtg gggatgagtc ccatctttca ctatgctcag 1680 tggcgccccc gctagacaga acttgtaccc acagcaggga tgtcagcgta gtctgctcac 1740 gatacataga tattcgtctg gcaggcggcg agtcctcctg tgagggaaga gtggagctca 1800 agacactcgg agcctggggt cccctctgca gttctcattg ggacatggaa gatgctcatg 1860 tcttatgtca gcagctgaag tgtggggttg cccaatctat tccagaagga gcacattttg 1920 ggaaaggagc tggtcaggtc tggagtcaca tgttccactg cactggaact gaggaacata 1980 taggagattg cctcatgact gctctgggtg cgccgacgtg ttccgaagga caggtggcct 2040 ctgtcatctg ctcaggaaac caatcccaga cactattgcc atgtagttca ttgtctccag 2100 tccaaacaac aagctctaca attccaaagg agagtgaagt tccctgcata gcaagtggcc 2160 agcttcgctt ggtaggtgga ggtggtcgct gcgctggaag agtggaggtc taccacgagg 2220 gctcttgggg caccgtctgt gatgacaatt gggatatgac tgatgccaat gtggtgtgca 2280 agcagctgga ctgtggcgtg gcaattaacg ccactggctc tgcttacttc ggggaaggag 2340 caggagctat ctggctagac gaagtcatct gcactgggaa agagtctcat atttggcagt 2400 gccattcaca tggctgggga cgccataact gcaggcacaa agaagatgca ggtgttatct 2460 gctccgagtt catgtctctg aggctgacca acgaagccca caaagaaaac tgcacaggtc 2520 gccttgaagt gttttacaat ggtacatggg gcagtattgg cagtagcaat atgtctccaa 2580 ccactgtggg ggtggtgtgc cgtcagctgg gctgtgcaga caacgggact gtgaaaccca 2640 taccttcaga caagacacca tccaggccca tgtgggtaga tcgtgtgcag tgtccaaaag 2700 gagttgacac tttgtggcag tgcccctcgt caccttggaa acagagacag gccagcccct 2760 cctcccagga gtcctggatc atctgtgaca acaaaataag actccaggaa gggcatacag 2820 actgttctgg acgtgtggag atctggcaca aaggttcctg gggaacagtg tgtgatgact 2880 cctgggatct taatgatgct aaggttgtat gtaagcagtt gggctgtggc caagctgtga 2940 aggcactaaa agaagcagca tttggtccag gaactgggcc catatggctc aatgaaatta 3000 agtgtagagg gaatgagtct tccctgtggg attgtcctgc caaaccgtgg agtcacagcg 3060 actgtgggca caaagaagat gcttccatcc agtgcctccc caaaatgact tcagaatcac 3120 atcatggcac aggtcacccc accctcacgg cactcttggt ttgtggagcc attctattgg 3180 tcctcctcat tgtcttcctc ctgtggactc tgaagcgacg acagattcag cgacttacag 3240 tttcctcaag aggagaggtc ttgatacatc aagttcagta ccaagagatg gattcaaagg 3300 cggatgatct ggacttgctg aaatcctcgg aaaattccaa caattcatat gattttaatg 3360 atgatggact gacatctttg tctaaatatc ttcctatttc tggaattaaa aaggggtcat 3420 tcagaggcac actgagaagg aaaatgataa tttataatcc actgaggttg gagtttaaga 3480 agccttgaca ggacagccag ctaaatggaa caagagccca ggcaacgcac ggatgaccac 3540 agctgcatct tcatgcagtc ctttgtttcc tggaactctg ctgaacctgc aaaaaccata 3600 tttgtgaatg tgaccactta atagagatgg gagactttt 3639    1 M  G  G  H  R  M  V  L  L  G  G  A  G  S  P  G  C  K  R  F ID NO: 26    1 atgggtggacacagaatggttcttcttggaggtgctggatctcctggttgtaaaaggttt and 27   21 V  H  L  G  F  F  V  V  A  V  S  S  L  L  S  A  S  A  V  T   61 gtccatctaggtttctttgttgtggctgtgagctcacttctcagtgcctctgctgtcact   41 N  A  P  G  E  M  K  K  E  L  R  L  A  G  G  E  N  N  C  S  121 aacgctcctggagaaatgaagaaggaactgagactggcgggtggtgaaaacaactgtagt   61 G  R  V  E  L  K  I  H  D  K  W  G  T  V  C  S  N  G  W  S  181 gggagagtggaacttaagatccatgacaagtggggcacagtgtgcagtaacggctggagc   81 M  N  E  V  S  V  V  C  Q  Q  L  G  C  P  T  S  I  K  A  L  241 atgaatgaagtgtccgtggtttgccagcagctgggatgcccaacttctattaaagccctt  101 G  W  A  N  S  S  A  G  S  G  Y  I  W  M  D  K  V  S  C  T  301 ggatgggctaactccagcgccggctctggatatatctggatggacaaagtttcttgtaca  121 G  N  E  S  A  L  W  D  C  K  H  D  G  W  G  K  H  N  C  T  361 gggaatgagtcagctctttgggactgcaaacatgatgggtggggaaagcataactgtacc  141 H  E  K  D  A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  N  L  E  M  R  L  V  421 catgaaaaagatgctggagtgacctgctcagatggatctaatttggagatgagactggtg  161 N  S  A  G  H  R  C  L  G  R  V  E  I  K  F  Q  G  K  W  G  481 aacagtgcgggccaccgatgcttaggaagagtagaaataaagttccagggaaagtggggg  181 T  V  C  D  D  N  F  S  K  D  H  A  S  V  I  C  K  Q  L  G  541 acggtgtgtgacgacaacttcagcaaagatcacgcttctgtgatttgtaaacagcttgga  201 C  G  S  A  I  S  F  S  G  S  A  K  L  G  A  G  S  G  P  I  601 tgtggaagtgccattagtttctctggctcagctaaattgggagctggttctggaccaatc  221 W  L  D  D  L  A  C  N  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  D  C  K  H  R  661 tggctcgatgacctggcatgcaatggaaatgagtcagctctctgggactgcaaacaccgg  241 G  W  G  K  H  N  C  D  H  A  E  D  V  G  V  I  C  L  E  G  721 ggatggggcaagcataactgtgaccatgctgaggatgtcggtgtgatttgcttagaggga  261 A  D  L  S  L  R  L  V  D  G  V  S  R  C  S  G  R  L  E  V  781 gcagatctgagcctgagactagtggatggagtgtccagatgttcaggaagattggaagtg  281 R  F  Q  G  E  W  G  T  V  C  D  D  N  W  D  L  R  D  A  S  841 agattccaaggagaatgggggaccgtgtgtgatgataactgggatctccgggatgcttct  301 V  V  C  K  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  S  A  I  G  R  V  N  A  901 gtggtgtgcaagcaactgggatgtccaactgccatcagtgccattggtcgagttaatgcc  321 S  E  G  S  G  Q  I  W  L  D  N  I  S  C  E  G  H  E  A  T  961 agtgagggatctggacagatttggcttgacaacatttcatgcgaaggacatgaggcaact  341 L  W  E  C  K  H  Q  E  W  G  K  H  Y  C  H  H  R  E  D  A 1021 ctttgggagtgtaaacaccaagagtggggaaagcattactgtcatcatagagaagacgct  361 G  V  T  C  S  D  G  A  D  L  E  L  R  L  V  G  G  G  S  R 1081 ggcgtgacatgttctgatggagcagatctggaacttagacttgtaggtggaggcagtcgc  381 C  A  G  I  V  E  V  E  I  Q  K  L  T  G  K  M  C  S  R  G 1141 tgtgctggcattgtggaggtggagattcagaagctgactgggaagatgtgtagccgaggc  401 W  T  L  A  D  A  D  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  G  S  A  L  Q 1201 tggacactggcagatgcggatgtggtttgcagacagcttggatgtggatctgcgcttcaa  421 T  Q  A  K  I  Y  S  K  T  G  A  T  N  T  W  L  F  P  G  S 1261 acccaggctaagatctactctaaaactggggcaacaaatacgtggctctttcctggatct  441 C  N  G  N  E  T  T  F  W  Q  C  K  N  W  Q  W  G  G  L  S 1321 tgtaatggaaatgaaactactttttggcaatgcaaaaactggcagtggggcggcctttcc  461 C  D  N  F  E  E  A  K  V  T  C  S  G  H  R  E  P  R  L  V 1381 tgtgataatttcgaagaagccaaagttacctgctcaggccacagggaacccagactggtt  481 G  G  E  I  P  C  S  G  R  V  E  M  K  H  G  D  V  W  G  S 1441 ggaggagaaatcccatgctctggtcgtgtggaaatgaaacacggagacgtgtggggctcc  501 V  C  D  F  D  L  S  L  E  A  A  S  V  V  C  R  E  L  Q  C 1501 gtctgtgattttgacttgtctctggaagctgccagtgtggtgtgcagggaattacaatgt  521 G  T  V  V  S  I  L  G  G  A  H  F  G  E  G  S  G  Q  I  W 1561 ggaacagtcgtctctatcctagggggagcacattttggagaaggaagtggacagatctgg  541 G  E  E  F  Q  C  S  G  D  E  S  H  L  S  L  C  S  V  A  P 1621 ggtgaagaattccagtgtagtggggatgagtcccatctttcactatgctcagtggcgccc  561 P  L  D  R  T  C  T  H  S  R  D  V  S  V  V  C  S  R  Y  I 1681 ccgctagacagaacttgtacccacagcagggatgtcagcgtagtctgctcacgatacata  581 D  I  R  L  A  G  G  E  S  S  C  E  G  R  V  E  L  K  T  L 1741 gatattcgtctggcaggcggcgagtcctcctgtgagggaagagtggagctcaagacactc  601 G  A  W  G  P  L  C  S  S  H  W  D  M  E  D  A  H  V  L  C 1801 ggagcctggggtcccctctgcagttctcattgggacatggaagatgctcatgtcttatgt  621 Q  Q  L  K  C  G  V  A  Q  S  I  P  E  G  A  H  F  G  K  G 1861 cagcagctgaagtgtggggttgcccaatctattccagaaggagcacattttgggaaagga  641 A  G  Q  V  W  S  H  M  F  H  C  T  G  T  E  E  H  I  G  D 1921 gctggtcaggtctggagtcacatgttccactgcactggaactgaggaacatataggagat  661 C  L  M  T  A  L  G  A  P  T  C  S  E  G  Q  V  A  S  V  I 1981 tgcctcatgactgctctgggtgcgccgacgtgttccgaaggacaggtggcctctgtcatc  681 C  S  G  N  Q  S  Q  T  L  L  P  C  S  S  L  S  P  V  Q  T 2041 tgctcaggaaaccaatcccagacactattgccatgtagttcattgtctccagtccaaaca  701 T  S  S  T  I  P  K  E  S  E  V  P  C  I  A  S  G  Q  L  R 2101 acaagctctacaattccaaaggagagtgaagttccctgcatagcaagtggccagcttcgc  721 L  V  G  G  G  G  R  C  A  G  R  V  E  V  Y  H  E  G  S  W 2161 ttggtaggtggaggtggtcgctgcgctggaagagtggaggtctaccacgagggctcttgg  741 G  T  V  C  D  D  N  W  D  M  T  D  A  N  V  V  C  K  Q  L 2221 ggcaccgtctgtgatgacaattgggatatgactgatgccaatgtggtgtgcaagcagctg  761 D  C  G  V  A  I  N  A  T  G  S  A  Y  F  G  E  G  A  G  A 2281 gactgtggcgtggcaattaacgccactggctctgcttacttcggggaaggagcaggagct  781 I  W  L  D  E  V  I  C  T  G  K  E  S  H  I  W  Q  C  H  S 2341 atctggctagacgaagtcatctgcactgggaaagagtctcatatttggcagtgccattca  801 H  G  W  G  R  H  N  C  R  H  K  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  E 2401 catggctggggacgccataactgcaggcacaaagaagatgcaggtgttatctgctccgag  821 F  M  S  L  R  L  T  N  E  A  H  K  E  N  C  T  G  R  L  E 2461 ttcatgtctctgaggctgaccaacgaagcccacaaagaaaactgcacaggtcgccttgaa  841 V  F  Y  N  G  T  W  G  S  I  G  S  S  N  M  S  P  T  T  V 2521 gtgttttacaatggtacatggggcagtattggcagtagcaatatgtctccaaccactgtg  861 G  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  A  D  N  G  T  V  K  P  I  P  S 2581 ggggtggtgtgccgtcagctgggctgtgcagacaacgggactgtgaaacccataccttca  881 D  K  T  P  S  R  P  M  W  V  D  R  V  Q  C  P  K  G  V  D 2641 gacaagacaccatccaggcccatgtgggtagatcgtgtgcagtgtccaaaaggagttgac  901 T  L  W  Q  C  P  S  S  P  W  K  Q  R  Q  A  S  P  9  S  Q 2701 actttgtggcagtgcccctcgtcaccttggaaacagagacaggccagcccctcctcccag  921 E  S  W  I  I  C  D  N  K  I  R  L  Q  E  G  H  T  D  C  S 2761 gagtcctggatcatctgtgacaacaaaataagactccaggaagggcatacagactgttct  941 G  R  V  E  I  W  H  K  G  S  W  G  T  V  C  D  D  S  W  D 2821 ggacgtgtggagatctggcacaaaggttcctggggaacagtgtgtgatgactcctgggat  961 L  N  D  A  K  V  V  C  K  Q  L  G  C  G  Q  A  V  K  A  L 2881 cttaatgatgctaaggttgtatgtaagcagttgggctgtggccaagctgtgaaggcacta  981 K  E  A  A  F  G  P  G  T  G  P  I  W  L  N  E  I  K  C  R 2941 aaagaagcagcatttggtccaggaactgggcccatatggctcaatgaaattaagtgtaga 1001 G  N  E  S  S  L  W  D  C  P  A  K  P  W  S  H  S  D  C  G 3001 gggaatgagtcttccctgtgggattgtcctgccaaaccgtggagtcacagcgactgtggg 1021 H  K  E  D  A  S  I  Q  C  L  P  K  M  T  S  E  S  H  H  G 3061 cacaaagaagatgcttccatccagtgcctccccaaaatgacttcagaatcacatcatggc 1041 T  G  H  P  T  L  T  A  L  L  V  C  G  A  I  L  L  V  L  L 3121 acaggtcaccccaccctcacggcactcttggtttgtggagccattctattggtcctcctc 1061 I  V  F  L  L  W  T  L  K  R  R  Q  I  Q  R  L  T  V  S  S 3181 attgtcttcctcctgtggactctgaagcgacgacagattcagcgacttacagtttcctca 1081 R  G  E  V  L  I  H  Q  V  Q  Y  Q  E  M  D  S  K  A  D  D 3241 agaggagaggtcttgatacatcaagttcagtaccaagagatggattcaaaggcggatgat 1101 L  D  L  L  K  S  S  E  N  S  N  N  S  Y  D  F  N  D  D  G 3301 ctggacttgctgaaatcctcggaaaattccaacaattcatatgattttaatgatgatgga 1121 L  T  S  L  S  K  Y  L  P  I  S  G  I  K  K  G  S  F  R  G 3361 ctgacatctttgtctaaatatcttcctatttctggaattaaaaaggggtcattcagaggc 1141 T  L  R  R  K  M  I  I  Y  N  P  L  R  L  E  F  K  K  P 3421 acactgagaaggaaaatgataatttataatccactgaggttggagtttaagaagcct    1 MGGHRMVLLG GAGSPGCKRF VHLGFFVVAV SSLLSASAVT NAPGEMKKEL ID NO: 27   51 RLAGGENNCS GRVELKIHDK WGTVCSNGWS MNEVSVVCQQ LGCPTSIKAL  101 GWANSSAGSG YIWMDKVSCT GNESALWDCK HDGWGKHNCT HEKDAGVTCS  151 DGSNLEMRLV NSAGHRCLGR VEIKFQGKWG TVCDDNFSKD HASVICKQLG  201 CGSAISFSGS AKLGAGSGPI WLDDLACNGN ESALWDCKHR GWGKHNCDHA  251 EDVGVICLEG ADLSLRLVDG VSRCSGRLEV RFQGEWGTVC DDNWDLRDAS  301 VVCKQLGCPT AISAIGRVNA SEGSGQIWLD NISCEGHEAT LWECKHQEWG  351 KHYCHHREDA GVTCSDGADL ELRLVGGGSR CAGIVEVEIQ KLTGKMCSRG  401 WTLADADVVC RQLGCGSALQ TQAKIYSKTG ATNTWLFPGS CNGNETTFWQ  451 CKNWQWGGLS CDNFEEAKVT CSGHREPRLV GGEIPCSGRV EMKHGDVWGS  501 VCDFDLSLEA ASVVCRELQC GTVVSILGGA HFGEGSGQIW GEEFQCSGDE  551 SHLSLCSVAP PLDRTCTHSR DVSVVCSRYI DIRLAGGESS CEGRVELKTL  601 GAWGPLCSSH WDMEDAHVLC QQLKCGVAQS IPEGAREGKG AGQVWSHMFH  651 CTGTEEHIGD CLMTALGAPT CSEGQVASVI CSGNQSQTLL PCSSLSPVQT  701 TSSTIPKESE VPCIASGQLR LVGGGGRCAG RVEVYHEGSW GTVCDDNWDM  751 TDANVVCKQL DCGVAINATG SAYFGEGAGA IWLDEVICTG KESHIWQCHS  801 HGWGRHNCRH KEDAGVICSE FMSLRLTNEA HKENCTGRLE VFYNGTWGSI  851 GSSNMSPTTV GVVCRQLGCA DNGTVKPIPS DKTPSRPMWV DRVQCPKGVD  901 TLWQCPSSPW KQRQASPSSQ ESWIICDNKI RLQEGHTDCS GRVEIWHKGS  951 WGTVCDDSWD LNDAKVVCKQ LGCGQAVKAL KEAAFGPGTG PIWLNEIKCR 1001 GNESSLWDCP AKPWSHSDCG HKEDASIQCL PKMTSESHHG TGHPTLTALL 1051 VCGAILLVLL IVFLLWTLKR RQIQRLTVSS RGEVLIHQVQ YQEMDSKADD 1101 LDLLKSSENS NNSYDFNDDG LTSLSKYLPI SGIKKGSFRG TLRRKMIIYN 1151 PLRLEFKKP

Example 8 Cloning and Characterization of MARC-145 CD163

A forward primer 5′ simianCD163 (SEQ ID NO: 28) (5′-CACCGGAATGAGCAAACTCAGAATGG-3′ based on human CD163) and a reverse primer HuCD163-3′Kpn (SEQ ID NO:29) (5′-TGCTCCGGTACCTAGTCCAGGTCTTCATCAAGGTATCTTA-3′) were used to amplify CD163 cDNA from MARC-145 African Green Monkey kidney cells. Total cellular RNA was prepared from MARC-145 cells using the RNeasy kit. RT-PCR parameters were the same as described in Example 4. RT-PCR products were cloned directionally into the pcDNA3.1D/V5/His/TOPO vector according to the manufacturer's instruction. Several clones containing large inserts were analyzed. Clone #25 was designated “pcDNA3.1D-MARC-CD163v2”. This novel CD163 cDNA from MARC-145 cells is 1116 amino acids in length. When compared to the sequences in GenBank database, the MARC-145 CD163 amino acid sequence is 96.3% identical to human CD163 (Genbank Z22968), 84.7% identical to pig CD163 (Genbank AJ311716), and 73.9% identical to mouse CD163 (Genbank AF274883).

SEQUENCE ID NO atgagcaaac tcagaatggt gctacttgaa gactctggat ctgctgacgt cagaagacat   60 SEQ ID tttgtcaact tgagtccctt cactattgct gtggtcttac ttctccgtgc ctgttttgtc  120 NO: 30 accagttctc ttggaggaac aaccaaggag ctgaggctag tggatggtga aaacaagtgt  180 agtgggagag tggaagtgaa aatccaggag gagtggggaa cggtgtgtaa taatggctgg  240 agcatggaag cagtctctgt gatttgtaac cagctgggat gtccaactgc tatcaaagcc  300 actggatggg ctaattccag tgcaggttct ggacgcattt ggatggatca tgtttcttgt  360 cgtgggaatg agtcagctct ttgggactgc aaacatgatg gatggggaaa gcatagtaac  420 tgtactcacc aacaagatgc tggagtgact tgctcagatg gatccgattt ggaaatgagg  480 ctgacgaatg gagggaatat gtgttctgga agaatagaga tcaaattcca aggacagtgg  540 ggaacagtgt gtgatgataa cttcaacatc aatcatgcat ctgtggtttg taaacaactt  600 gaatgtggaa gtgctgtcag tttctctggt tcagctaatt ttggagaagg ctctggacca  660 atctggtttg atgatcttat atgcaacgga aatgagtcag ctctctggaa ctgcaaacat  720 caaggatggg gaaagcataa ctgtgatcat gctgaggatg ctggagtgat ttgctcaaag  780 ggagcagatc tgagcctgag actggtagat ggagtcactg aatgttcagg aagattagaa  840 gtgagattcc aaggagaatg ggggacaata tgtgatgacg gctgggacag tcatgatgct  900 gctgtggcat gcaagcaact gggatgtcca actgctatca ccgccattgg tcgagttaac  960 gccagtgagg gatttggaca catctggctt gacagtgttt cttgccaggg acatgaacct 1020 gcggtctggc aatgtaaaca ccatgaatgg ggaaagcatt attgcaatca caatgaagat 1080 gctggcgtaa catgttctga tggatcagat ctggagctaa gacttagagg tggaggcagc 1140 cgctgtgctg ggacagttga ggtggagatt cagagactgt tagggaaggt gtgtgacaga 1200 ggctggggac tgaaagaagc tgatgtggtt tgcaggcagc tgggatgtgg atctgcactc 1260 aaaacatcct atcaagtata ctccaaaatc caggcaacaa acatgtggct gtttctaagt 1320 agctgtaacg gaaatgaaac ttctctttgg gactgcaaga actggcaatg gggtggactt 1380 acctgtgatc actatgaaga agccaaaatt acctgctcag cccacaggga acccagactg 1440 gttggaggag acattccctg ttctggacgc gttgaagtga agcatggtga cacatggggc 1500 tccgtctgtg attcggattt ctctctggaa gctgccagcg ttctatgcag ggaattacag 1560 tgtggcacag tcgtctctat cctgggggga gctcactttg gagagggaaa tggacagatc 1620 tgggctgaag aattccagtg tgagggacat gagtcccatc tttcactctg cccagtagca 1680 ccccgcccag aaggaacttg tagccacagc agggatgttg gagtagtctg ctcaagatac 1740 acagaaattc gcttggtgaa tggcaagacc ccatgtgagg gcagagtgga gctcaaaacg 1800 cttaatgcct ggggatccct ctgcaactct cactgggaca tagaagatgc ccacgttctt 1860 tgccaacaac ttaaatgtgg agttgccctt tctaccccag gaggagcaca ttttggaaaa 1920 ggaaatggtc aggtctggag gcatatgttt cactgcactg ggactgagca gcacatggga 1980 gattgtcctg taactgctct gggtgcttca ctatgtcctt cagggcaagt ggcctctgta 2040 atttgctcag gaaaccagtc ccaaacactg tcctcgtgca attcatcatc tctgggccca 2100 acaaggccta ccattccaga agaaagtgct gtggcctgca tagagagtgg tcaacttcgc 2160 ttggtaaatg gaggaggtcg ctgtgctggg agagtagaga tttatcatga gggctcctgg 2220 ggcaccatct gtgatgacag ctgggacctg agcgatgccc acgtggtgtg cagacagctg 2280 ggctgtggag aggccattaa tgccactggt tctgctcatt ttggagaagg aacagggccc 2340 atctggctgg atgagatgaa atgcaatgga aaagaatccc gcatttggca gtgccattca 2400 catggctggg ggcagcaaaa ctgcaggcac aaggaggatg caggagttat ctgctcagag 2460 ttcatgtctc tgagactgac cagtgaagcc agcagagagg cctgtgcagg gcgtctagaa 2520 gttttttaca acggagcttg gggcagtgtt ggcaggagta acatgtctga aaccactgtg 2580 ggtgtggtgt gcaggcagct gggctgtgca gacaaaggga aaatcaaccc tgcatcttta 2640 gacaaggcca tgtccattcc catgtgggtg gacaatgttc agtgtccaaa aggacctgac 2700 acgctgtggc agtgcccatc atctccatgg gagaagagac tggccaggcc ctcggaggag 2760 acctggatca catgtgacaa caagatgaga ctacaagaag gacccacttc ctgttctgga 2820 cgtgtggaga tctggcacgg aggttcctgg gggacagtgt gtgatgactc ctgggacttg 2880 aacgatgctc aggtggtgtg tcaacaactt ggctgtggtc cagctttgaa agcattcaaa 2940 gaagcagagt ttggtcaggg gactggaccc atatggctca atgaagtgaa gtgcaaaggg 3000 aatgagtctt ccttgtggga ttgtcctgcc agacgctggg gccacagtga gtgtggacac 3060 aaggaagacg ctgcagtgaa ttgcacagat atttcaacga acaaaacccc acaaaaagcc 3120 acaacaggtc agtcatccct tattgcagtc ggaatccttg gagttgttct cttggtcatt 3180 ttcgtcgcat tattcttgac tcaaaagcga agacagagac agcggcttac agtttcctca 3240 agaggagaga acttagtcca ccaaattcaa taccgggaga tgaattcttg cctgaatgca 3300 gatgatctgg acctaatgaa ttcctcagga ggccattctg aggcacactg aaaaggaaaa 3360 tgggaattta taacccagtg agccttgaag ataccttgat gaagacctgg acta       3414    1 M  S  K  L  R  M  V  L  L  E  D  S  G  S  A  D  V  R  R  H SEQ ID NO:    1 atgagcaaactcagaatggtgctacttgaagactctggatctgctgacgtcagaagacat 31 and 32   21 F  V  N  L  S  P  F  T  I  A  V  V  L  L  L  R  A  C  F  V   61 tttgtcaacttgagtcccttcactattgctgtggtcttacttctccgtgcctgttttgtc   41 T  S  S  L  G  G  T  T  K  E  L  R  L  V  D  G  E  N  K  C  121 accagttctcttggaggaacaaccaaggagctgaggctagtggatggtgaaaacaagtgt   61 S  G  R  V  E  V  K  I  Q  E  E  W  G  T  V  C  N  N  G  W  181 agtgggagagtggaagtgaaaatccaggaggagtggggaacggtgtgtaataatggctgg   81 S  M  E  A  V  S  V  I  C  N  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  K  A  241 agcatggaagcagtctctgtgatttgtaaccagctgggatgtccaactgctatcaaagcc  101 T  G  W  A  N  S  S  A  G  S  G  R  I  W  M  D  H  V  S  C  301 actggatgggctaattccagtgcaggttctggacgcatttggatggatcatgtttcttgt  121 R  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  D  C  K  H  D  G  W  G  K  H  S  N  361 cgtgggaatgagtcagctctttgggactgcaaacatgatggatggggaaagcatagtaac  141 C  T  H  Q  Q  D  A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  M  R  421 tgtactcaccaacaagatgctggagtgacttgctcagatggatccgatttggaaatgagg  161 L  T  N  G  G  N  M  C  S  G  R  I  E  I  K  F  Q  G  Q  W  481 ctgacgaatggagggaatatgtgttctggaagaatagagatcaaattccaaggacagtgg  181 G  T  V  C  D  D  N  F  N  I  N  H  A  S  V  V  C  K  Q  L  541 ggaacagtgtgtgatgataacttcaacatcaatcatgcatctgtggtttgtaaacaactt  201 E  C  G  S  A  V  S  F  S  G  S  A  N  F  G  E  G  S  G  P  601 gaatgtggaagtgctgtcagtttctctggttcagctaattttggagaaggctctggacca  221 I  W  F  D  D  L  I  C  N  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  N  C  K  H  661 atctggtttgatgatcttatatgcaacggaaatgagtcagctctctggaactgcaaacat  241 Q  G  W  G  K  H  N  C  D  H  A  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  K  721 caaggatggggaaagcataactgtgatcatgctgaggatgctggagtgatttgctcaaag  261 G  A  D  L  S  L  R  L  V  D  G  V  T  E  C  S  G  R  L  E  781 ggagcagatctgagcctgagactggtagatggagtcactgaatgttcaggaagattagaa  281 V  R  F  Q  G  E  W  G  T  I  C  D  D  G  W  D  S  H  D  A  841 gtgagattccaaggagaatgggggacaatatgtgatgacggctgggacagtcatgatgct  301 A  V  A  C  K  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  T  A  I  G  R  V  N  901 gctgtggcatgcaagcaactgggatgtccaactgctatcaccgccattggtcgagttaac  321 A  S  E  G  F  G  H  I  W  L  D  S  V  S  C  Q  G  H  E  P  961 gccagtgagggatttggacacatctggcttgacagtgtttcttgccagggacatgaacct  341 A  V  W  Q  C  K  H  H  E  W  G  K  H  Y  G  N  H  N  E  D 1021 gcggtctggcaatgtaaacaccatgaatggggaaagcattattgcaatcacaatgaagat  361 A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  L  R  L  R  G  G  G  S 1081 gctggcgtaacatgttctgatggatcagatctggagctaagacttagaggtggaggcagc  381 R  C  A  G  T  V  E  V  E  I  Q  R  L  L  G  K  V  C  D  R 1141 cgctgtgctgggacagttgaggtggagattcagagactgttagggaaggtgtgtgacaga  401 G  W  G  L  K  E  A  D  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  G  S  A  L 1201 ggctggggactgaaagaagctgatgtggtttgcaggcagctgggatgtggatctgcactc  421 K  T  S  Y  Q  V  Y  S  K  I  Q  A  T  N  M  W  L  F  L  S 1261 aaaacatcctatcaagtatactccaaaatccaggcaacaaacatgtggctgtttctaagt  441 S  C  N  G  N  E  T  S  L  W  D  C  K  N  W  Q  W  G  G  L 1321 agctgtaacggaaatgaaacttctctttgggactgcaagaactggcaatggggtggactt  461 T  C  D  H  Y  E  E  A  K  I  T  C  S  A  H  R  E  P  R  L 1381 acctgtgatcactatgaagaagccaaaattacctgctcagcccacagggaacccagactg  481 V  G  G  D  I  P  C  S  G  R  V  E  V  K  H  G  D  T  W  G 1441 gttggaggagacattccctgttctggacgcgttgaagtgaagcatggtgacacatggggc  501 S  V  C  D  S  D  F  S  L  E  A  A  S  V  L  C  R  E  L  Q 1501 tccgtctgtgattcggatttctctctggaagctgccagcgttctatgcagggaattacag  521 C  G  T  V  V  S  I  L  G  G  A  H  F  G  E  G  N  G  Q  I 1561 tgtggcacagtcgtctctatcctggggggagctcactttggagagggaaatggacagatc  541 W  A  E  E  F  Q  C  E  G  H  E  S  H  L  S  L  C  P  V  A 1621 tgggctgaagaattccagtgtgagggacatgagtcccatctttcactctgcccagtagca  561 P  R  P  E  G  T  C  S  H  S  R  D  V  G  V  V  C  S  R  Y 1681 ccccgcccagaaggaacttgtagccacagcagggatgttggagtagtctgctcaagatac  581 T  E  I  R  L  V  N  G  K  T  P  C  E  G  R  V  E  L  K  T 1741 acagaaattcgcttggtgaatggcaagaccccatgtgagggcagagtggagctcaaaacg  601 L  N  A  W  G  S  L  C  N  S  H  W  D  I  E  D  A  H  V  L 1801 cttaatgcctggggatccctctgcaactctcactgggacatagaagatgcccacgttctt  621 C  Q  Q  L  K  C  G  V  A  L  S  T  P  G  G  A  H  F  G  K 1861 tgccaacaacttaaatgtggagttgccctttctaccccaggaggagcacattttggaaaa  641 G  N  G  Q  V  W  R  H  M  F  H  C  T  G  T  E  Q  H  M  G 1921 ggaaatggtcaggtctggaggcatatgtttcactgcactgggactgagcagcacatggga  661 D  C  P  V  T  A  L  G  A  S  L  C  P  S  G  Q  V  A  S  V 1981 gattgtcctgtaactgctctgggtgcttcactatgtccttcagggcaagtggcctctgta  681 I  C  S  G  N  Q  S  Q  T  L  S  S  C  N  S  S  S  L  G  P 2041 atttgctcaggaaaccagtcccaaacactgtcctcgtgcaattcatcatctctgggccca  701 T  R  P  T  I  P  E  E  S  A  V  A  C  I  E  S  G  Q  L  R 2101 acaaggcctaccattccagaagaaagtgctgtggcctgcatagagagtggtcaacttcgc  721 L  V  N  G  G  G  R  C  A  G  R  V  E  I  Y  H  E  G  S  W 2161 ttggtaaatggaggaggtcgctgtgctgggagagtagagatttatcatgagggctcctgg  741 G  T  I  C  D  D  S  W  D  L  S  D  A  H  V  V  C  R  Q  L 2221 ggcaccatctgtgatgacagctgggacctgagcgatgcccacgtggtgtgcagacagctg  761 G  C  G  E  A  I  N  A  T  G  S  A  H  F  G  E  G  T  G  P 2281 ggctgtggagaggccattaatgccactggttctgctcattttggagaaggaacagggccc  781 I  W  L  D  E  M  K  C  N  G  K  E  S  R  I  W  Q  C  H  S 2341 atctggctggatgagatgaaatgcaatggaaaagaatcccgcatttggcagtgccattca  801 H  G  W  G  Q  Q  N  C  R  H  K  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  E 2401 catggctgggggcagcaaaactgcaggcacaaggaggatgcaggagttatctgctcagag  821 F  M  S  L  R  L  T  S  E  A  S  R  E  A  C  A  G  R  L  E 2461 ttcatgtctctgagactgaccagtgaagccagcagagaggcctgtgcagggcgtctagaa  841 V  F  Y  N  G  A  W  G  S  V  G  R  S  N  M  S  E  T  T  V 2521 gttttttacaacggagcttggggcagtgttggcaggagtaacatgtctgaaaccactgtg  861 G  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  A  D  K  G  K  I  N  P  A  S  L 2581 ggtgtggtgtgcaggcagctgggctgtgcagacaaagggaaaatcaaccctgcatcttta  881 D  K  A  M  S  I  P  M  W  V  D  N  V  Q  C  P  K  G  P  D 2641 gacaaggccatgtccattcccatgtgggtggacaatgttcagtgtccaaaaggacctgac  901 T  L  W  Q  C  P  S  S  P  W  E  K  R  L  A  R  P  S  E  E 2701 acgctgtggcagtgcccatcatctccatgggagaagagactggccaggccctcggaggag  921 T  W  I  T  C  D  N  K  M  R  L  Q  E  G  P  T  S  C  S  G 2761 acctggatcacatgtgacaacaagatgagactacaagaaggacccacttcctgttctgga  941 R  V  E  I  W  H  G  G  S  W  G  T  V  C  D  D  S  W  D  L 2821 cgtgtggagatctggcacggaggttcctgggggacagtgtgtgatgactcctgggacttg  961 N  D  A  Q  V  V  C  Q  Q  L  G  C  G  P  A  L  K  A  F  K 2881 aacgatgctcaggtggtgtgtcaacaacttggctgtggtccagctttgaaagcattcaaa  981 E  A  E  F  G  Q  G  T  G  P  I  W  L  N  E  V  K  C  K  G 2941 gaagcagagtttggtcaggggactggacccatatggctcaatgaagtgaagtgcaaaggg 1001 N  E  S  S  L  W  D  C  P  A  R  R  W  G  H  S  E  C  G  H 3001 aatgagtcttccttgtgggattgtcctgccagacgctggggccacagtgagtgtggacac 1021 K  E  D  A  A  V  N  C  T  D  I  S  T  N  K  T  P  Q  K  A 3061 aaggaagacgctgcagtgaattgcacagatatttcaacgaacaaaaccccacaaaaagcc 1041 T  T  G  Q  S  S  L  I  A  V  G  I  L  G  V  V  L  L  V  I 3121 acaacaggtcagtcatcccttattgcagtcggaatccttggagttgttctcttggtcatt 1061 F  V  A  L  F  L  T  Q  K  R  R  Q  R  Q  R  L  T  V  S  S 3181 ttcgtcgcattattcttgactcaaaagcgaagacagagacagcggcttacagtttcctca 1081 R  G  E  N  L  V  H  Q  I  Q  Y  R  E  M  N  S  C  L  N  A 3241 agaggagagaacttagtccaccaaattcaataccgggagatgaattcttgcctgaatgca 1101 D  D  L  D  L  M  N  S  S  G  G  H  S  E  A  H 3301 gatgatctggacctaatgaattcctcaggaggccattctgaggcacac    1 MSKLRMVLLE DSGSADVRRH FVNLSPFTIA VVLLLRACFV TSSLGGTTKE SEQ ID   51 LRLVDGENKC SGRVEVKIQE EWGTVCNNGW SMEAVSVICN QLGCPTAIKA NO: 32  101 TGWANSSAGS GRIWNDHVSC RGNESALWDC KHDGWGKHSN CTHQQDAGVT  151 CSDGSDLEMR LTNGGNMCSG RIEIKFQGQW CTVCDDNFNI NHASVVCKQL  201 ECGSAVSFSG SANFGEGSGP IWFDDLICNG NESALWNCKH QGWGKHNCDH  251 AEDAGVICSK GADLSLRLVD GVTECSGRLE VRFQGEWGTI CDDGWDSHDA  301 AVACKQLGCP TAITAIGRVN ASEGFGHIWL DSVSCQGHEP AVWQCKHHEW  351 GKHYCNHNED AGVTCSDGSD LELRLRGGGS RCAGTVEVEI QRLLCKVCDR  401 GWGLKEADVV CRQLGCGSAL KTSYQVYSKI QATNMWLFLS SCNGNETSLW  451 DCKNWQWGGL TCDHYEEAKI TCSAHREPRL VGGDIPCSGR VEVKHGDTWG  501 SVCDSDFSLE AASVLCRELQ CGTVVSILGG AHFGEGNGQI WAEEFQCECH  551 ESHLSLCPVA PRPECTCSHS RDVGVVCSRY TEIRLVNGKT PCEGRVELKT  601 LNAWGSLCNS HWDIEDAHVL CQQLKCGVAL STPGGAHFGK GNGQVWRHMF  651 HCTGTEQHMG DCPVTALGAS LCPSGQVASV ICSGNQSQTL SSCNSSSLGP  701 TRPTIPEESA VACIESGQLR LVNGGGRCAG RVEIYHEGSW GTICDDSWDL  751 SDAHVVCRQL GCGEAINATG SAHFGEGTGP IWLDEMKCNG KESRIWQCHS  801 HGWGQQNCRH KEDAGVICSE FMSLRLTSEA SREACAGRLE VFYNGAWGSV  851 GRSNMSETTV GVVCRQLGCA DKGKINPASL DKAMSIPMWV DNVQCPKGPD  901 TLWQCPSSPW EKRLARPSEE TWITCDNKMR LQEGPTSCSG RVEIWHGGSW  951 GTVCDDSWDL NDAQVVCQQL GCGPALKAFK EAEFGQGTGP IWLNEVKCKG 1001 NESSLWDCPA RRWGHSECGH KEDAAVNCTD ISTNKTPQKA TTGQSSLIAV 1051 GILGVVLLVI FVALFLTQKR RQRQRLTVSS RGENLVHQIQ YREMNSCLNA 1101 DDLDLMNSSG GHSEAH

Example 9 Cloning and Characterization of Simian CD163 from Vero Cells

A forward primer 5′ simianCD163 (SEQ ID NO: 28) (5′-CACCGGAATGAGCAAACTCAGAATGG-3′ based on human CD163) and a reverse primer HuCD163-3′Kpn (SEQ ID NO:29) (5′-TGCTCCGGTACCTAGTCCAGGTCTTCATCAAGGTATCTTA-3′) were used to amplify CD163 cDNA from Vero cells. Total cellular RNA was prepared from Vero cells using the RNeasy kit. RT-PCR parameters were the same as described in Example 4. RT-PCR products were cloned directionally into the pcDNA3.1D/V5/His/TOPO vector according to the manufacturer's instruction. Eight clones containing large inserts were sequenced, and six discreet splicing patterns were found. These patterns are depicted graphically in FIG. 17.

The six splicing variants differ in the presence or absence of three exons, designated E6, E105, and E83. Omissions of E6 or E105 do not change the reading frame, whereas omission of E83 does. Patterns similar to v2 and/or v3 were also seen in porcine, murine, human, and MARC-145 monkey cells. Patterns v4 and v5 lack the 105-nucleotide exon that encodes the hydrophobic transmembrane region. These cDNAs were unable to render BHK cells permissive to PRRSV infection in a transient transfection assay, probably because the CD163 is secreted rather than remaining membrane bound. Although CD163 molecules lacking a transmembrane region appear to be non-functional as cellular permissivity factors, it is possible that they may have utility either in direct virus neutralization (similar to neutralizing antibodies), or as an immunogen for the induction of anti-CD163 antibodies which would block viral infection in the host animal.

The longest splice variant, v7, contains all three of the exons E6, E105, and E83. This novel CD163 cDNA from Vero cells encodes a polypeptide that is 1153 amino acids in length. When compared to the sequences in Genbank database, the Vero CD163v7 amino acid sequence is 95.4% identical to human CD163 (Genbank Z22968), 83.7% identical to pig CD163 (Genbank AJ311716), and 72.1% identical to mouse CD163 (Genbank AF274883). The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the six splice variants found in Vero cells are provided below (SEQ ID NOS:33-44).

SEQUENCE ID NO 1 M  S  K  L  R  M  V  L  L  E  D  S  G  S  A  D  V  R  R  H SEQ ID NO: 1 ATGAGCAAACTCAGAATGGTGCTACTTGAAGACTCTGGATCTGCTGACGTCAGAAGACAT 33 and 34 21 F  V  N  L  S  P  F  T  I  A  V  V  L  L  L  R  A  C  F  V 61 TTTGTCAACTTGAGTCCCTTCACTATTGCTGTGGTCTTACTTCTCCGTGCCTGTTTTGTC 41 T  S  S  L  G  G  T  T  K  E  L  R  L  V  D  G  E  N  K  C 121 ACCAGTTCTCTTGGAGGAACAACCAAGGAGCTGAGGCTAGTGGATGGTGAAAACAAGTGT 61 S  G  R  V  E  V  K  I  Q  E  E  W  G  T  V  C  N  N  G  W 181 AGTGGGAGAGTGGAAGTGAAAATCCAGGAGGAGTGGGGAACGGTGTGTAATAATGGCTGG 81 S  M  E  A  V  S  V  I  C  N  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  K  A 241 AGCATGGAAGCAGTCTCTGTGATTTGTAACCAGCTGGGATGTCCAACTGCTATCAAAGCC 101 T  G  W  A  N  S  S  A  G  S  G  R  I  W  M  D  H  V  S  C 301 ACTGGATGGGCTAATTCCAGTGCAGGTTCTGGACGCATTTGGATGGATCATGTTTCTTGT 121 R  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  D  C  K  H  D  G  W  G  K  H  S  N 361 CGTGGGAATGAGTCAGCTCTTTGGGACTGCAAACATGATGGATGGGGAAAGCATAGTAAC 141 C  T  H  Q  Q  D  A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  M  R 421 TGTACTCACCAACAAGATGCTGGAGTAACTTGCTCAGATGGATCCGATTTGGAAATGAGG 161 L  T  N  G  G  N  M  C  S  G  R  I  E  I  K  F  Q  G  Q  W 481 CTGACGAATGGAGGGAATATGTGTTCTGGAAGAATAGAGATCAAATTCCAAGGACAGTGG 181 G  T  V  C  D  D  N  F  N  I  N  H  A  S  V  V  C  K  Q  L 541 GGAACAGTGTGTGATGATAACTTCAACATCAATCATGCATCTGTGGTTTGTAAACAACTT 201 E  C  G  S  A  V  S  F  S  G  S  A  N  F  G  E  G  S  G  P 601 GAATGTGGAAGTGCTGTCAGTTTCTCTGGTTCAGCTAATTTTGGAGAAGGCTCTGGACCA 221 I  W  F  D  D  L  I  C  N  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  N  C  K  H 661 ATCTGGTTTGATGATCTTATATGCAACGGAAATGAGTCAGCTCTCTGGAACTGCAAACAT 241 Q  G  W  G  K  H  N  C  D  H  A  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  K 721 CAAGGATGGGGAAAGCATAACTGTGATCATGCTGAGGATGCTGGAGTGATTTGCTCAAAG 261 G  A  D  L  S  L  R  L  V  D  G  V  T  E  C  S  G  R  L  E 781 GGAGCAGATCTGAGCCTGAGACTGGTAGATGGAGTCATGAATGTTCAGGAAGATTAGAA 281 V  R  F  Q  G  E  W  G  T  I  C  D  D  G  W  D  S  H  D  A 841 GTGAGATTCCAAGGAGAATGGGGGACAATATGTGATGACGGCTGGGACAGTCATGATGCT 301 A  V  A  C  K  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  T  A  I  G  R  V  N 901 GCTGTGGCATGCAAGCAACTGGGATGTCCAACTGCTATCACCGCCATTGGTCGAGTTAAC 321 A  S  E  G  F  G  H  I  W  L  D  S  V  S  C  Q  G  H  E  P 961 GCCAGTGAGGGATTTGGACACATCTGGCTTGACAGTGTTTCTTGCCAGGGACATGAACCT 341 A  V  W  Q  C  K  H  H  E  W  G  K  H  Y  C  N  H  N  E  D 1021 GCGGTCTGGCAATGTAAACACCATGAATGGGGAAAGCATTATTGCAATCACAATGAAGAT 361 A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  G  L  E  L  R  L  R  G  G  G  S 1081 GCTGGCGTAACATGTTCTGATGGATCAGGTCTGGAGCTAAGACTTAGAGGTGGAGGCAGC 381 R  C  A  G  T  V  E  V  E  I  Q  R  L  L  G  K  V  C  D  R 1141 CGCTGTGCTGGGACAGTTGAGGTGGAGATTCAGAGACTGTTAGGGAAGGTGTGTGACAGA 401 G  W  G  L  K  E  A  D  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  G  S  A  L 1201 GGCTGGGGACTGAAAGAAGCTGATGTGGTTTGCAGGCAGCTGGGATGTGGATCTGCACTC 421 K  T  S  Y  Q  V  Y  S  K  I  Q  A  T  N  M  W  L  F  L  S 1261 AAAACATCCTATCAAGTATACTCCAAAATCCAGGCAACAAACATGTGGCTGTTTCTAAGT 441 S  C  N  G  N  E  T  S  L  W  D  C  K  N  W  Q  W  G  G  L 1321 AGCTGTAACGGAAATGAAACTTCTCTTTGGGACTGCAAGAACTGGCAATGGGGTGGACTT 461 T  C  D  H  Y  E  E  A  K  I  T  C  S  A  H  R  E  P  R  L 1381 ACCTGTGATCACTATGAAGAAGCCAAAATTACCTGCTCAGCCCACAGGGAACCCAGACTG 481 V  G  G  D  I  P  C  S  G  R  V  E  V  K  H  G  D  T  W  G 1441 GTTGGAGGAGACATTCCCTGTTCTGGACGCGTTGAAGTGAAGCATGGTGACACATGGGGC 501 S  V  C  D  S  D  F  S  L  E  A  A  S  V  L  C  R  E  L  Q 1501 TCCGTCTGTGATTCGGATTTCTCTCTGGAAGCTGCCAGCGTTCTATGCAGGGAATTACAG 521 C  G  T  V  V  S  I  L  G  G  A  H  F  G  E  G  N  G  Q  I 1561 TGTGGCACAGTCGTCTCTATCCTGGGGGGAGCTCACTTTGGAGAGGGAAATGGACAGATC 541 W  T  E  E  F  Q  C  E  G  H  E  S  H  L  S  L  C  P  V  A 1621 TGGACTGAAGAATTCCAGTGTGAGGGACATGAGTCCCATCTTTCACTCTGCCCAGTAGCA 561 P  R  P  E  G  T  C  S  H  S  R  D  V  G  V  V  C  S  R  Y 1681 CCCCGCCCAGAAGGAACTTGTAGCCACAGCAGGGATGTTGGAGTAGTCTGCTCAAGATAC 581 T  E  I  R  L  V  N  G  K  T  P  C  E  G  R  V  E  L  K  T 1741 ACAGAAATTCGCTTGGTGAATGGCAAGACCCCATGTGAGGGCAGAGTGGAGCTCAAAACG 601 L  N  A  W  G  S  L  C  N  S  H  W  D  I  E  D  A  H  V  L 1801 CTTAATGCCTGGGGATCCCTCTGCAACTCTCACTGGGACATAGAAGATGCCCACGTTCTT 621 C  Q  Q  L  K  C  G  V  A  L  S  T  P  G  G  A  H  F  G  K 1861 TGCCAACAACTTAAATGTGGAGTTGCCCTTTCTACCCCAGGAGGAGCACATTTTGGAAAA 641 G  N  G  Q  V  W  R  H  M  F  H  C  T  G  T  E  Q  H  M  G 1921 GGAAATGGTCAGGTCTGGAGGCATATGTTTCACTGCACTGGGACTGAGCAGCACATGGGA 661 D  C  P  V  T  A  L  G  A  S  L  C  P  S  G  Q  V  A  S  V 1981 GATTGTCCTGTAACTGCTCTGGGTGCTTCACTATGTCCTTCAGGGCAAGTGGCCTCTGTA 681 I  C  S  G  N  Q  S  Q  T  L  S  S  R  N  S  S  S  L  G  P 2041 ATTTGCTCAGGAAACCAGTCCCAAACACTGTCCTCGCGCAATTCATCATCTCTGGGCCCA 701 T  R  P  T  I  P  E  E  S  A  V  A  C  I  E  S  G  Q  L  R 2101 ACAAGGCCTACCATTCCAGAAGAAAGTGCTGTGGCCTGCATAGAGAGTGGTCAACTTCGC 721 L  V  N  G  G  G  R  C  A  G  R  V  E  I  Y  H  E  G  S  W 2161 TTGGTAAATGGAGGAGGTCGCTGTGCTGGGAGAGTAGAGATTTATCATGAGGGCTCCTGG 741 G  T  I  C  D  D  S  W  D  L  S  D  A  H  V  V  C  R  Q  L 2221 GGCACCATCTGTGATGACAGCTGGGACCTGAGCGATGCCCACGTGGTGTGCAGACAGCTG 761 G  C  G  E  A  I  N  A  T  G  S  A  H  F  G  E  G  T  G  P 2281 GGCTGTGGAGAGGCCATTAATGCCACTGGTTCTGCTCATTTTGGAGAAGGAACAGGGCCC 781 I  W  L  D  E  M  K  C  N  G  K  E  S  R  I  W  Q  C  H  S 2341 ATCTGGCTGGATGAGATGAAATGCAATGGAAAAGAATCCCGCATTTGGCAGTGCCATTCA 801 H  G  W  G  Q  Q  N  C  R  H  K  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  E 2401 CATGGCTGGGGGCAGCAAAACTGCAGGCACAAGGAGGATGCAGGAGTTATCTGCTCAGAG 821 F  M  S  L  R  L  T  S  E  A  S  R  E  A  C  A  G  R  L  E 2461 TTCATGTCTCTGAGACTGACCAGTGAAGCCAGGAGAGAGGCCTGTGCAGGGCGTCTAGAA 841 V  F  Y  N  G  A  W  G  S  V  G  R  S  N  M  S  E  T  T  V 2521 GTTTTTTACAACGGAGCTTGGGGCAGTGTTGGCAGGAGTAACATGTCTGAAACCACTGTG 861 G  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  A  D  K  G  K  I  N  S  A  S  L 2581 GGTGTAGTGTGCAGGCAGCTGGGCTGTGCAGACAAAGGGAAAATCAACTCTGCATCTTTA 881 D  K  A  M  S  I  P  M  W  V  D  N  V  Q  C  P  K  G  P  D 2641 GACAAGGCCATGTCCATTCCCATGTGGGTGGACAATGTTCAGTGTCCAAAAGGACCTGAC 901 T  L  W  Q  C  P  S  S  P  W  E  K  R  L  A  R  P  S  E  E 2701 ACGCTGTGGCAGTGCCCATCATCTCCATGGGAGAAGAGACTGGCCAGGCCCTCGGAGGAG 921 T  W  I  T  C  D  N  K  M  R  L  Q  E  G  P  T  S  C  S  G 2761 ACCTGGATCACATGTGACAACAAGATGAGACTACAAGAAGGACCCACTTCCTGTTCTGGA 941 R  V  E  I  W  H  G  G  S  W  G  T  V  C  D  D  S  W  D  L 2821 CGTGTGGAGATCTGGCACGGAGGTTCCTGGGGGACAGTGTGTGATGACTCCTGGGACTTG 961 N  D  A  Q  V  V  C  Q  Q  L  G  C  G  P  A  L  K  A  F  K 2881 AACGATGCTCAGGTGGTGTGTCAACAACTTGGCTGTGGTCCAGCTTTGAAAGCATTCAAA 981 E  A  E  F  G  Q  G  T  G  P  I  W  L  N  E  V  K  C  E  G 2941 GAAGCAGAGTTTGGTCAGGGGACTGGACCCATATGGCTCAATGAAGTGAAGTGCGAAGGG 1001 N  E  S  S  L  W  D  C  P  A  R  R  W  G  H  S  E  C  G  H 3001 AATGAGTCTTCCTTGTGGGATTGTCCTGCCAGACGCTGGGGCCACAGTGAGTGTGGACAC 1021 K  E  D  A  A  V  N  C  T  D  I  S  T  R  K  T  P  Q  K  A 3061 AAGGAAGACGCTGCAGTGAATTGCACAGATATTTCAACGCGCAAAACCCCACAAAAAGCC 1041 T  T  G  Q  S  S  L  I  A  V  G  I  L  I  V  V  L  L  A  I 3121 ACAACAGGTCAGTCATCCCTTATTGCAGTCGGAATCCTTGGAGTTGTTCTCTTGGCCATT 1061 F  V  A  L  F  L  T  Q  K  R  R  Q  R  Q  R  L  T  V  S  S 3181 TTCGTCGCATTATTCTTGACTCAAAAGCGAAGACAGAGACAGCGGCTTACAGTTTCCTCA 1081 R  G  E  N  L  V  H  Q  I  Q  Y  R  E  M  N  S  C  L  N  A 3241 AGAGGAGAGAACTTAGTCCACCAAATTCAATACCGGGAGATGAATTCTTGCCTGAATGCA 1101 D  D  L  D  L  M  N  S  S  G  G  H  S  E  A  H 3301 GATGATCTGGACCTAATGAATTCCTCAGGAGGCCATTCTGAGGCACAC 1 MSKLRMVLLE DSGSADVRRH FVNLSPFTIA VVLLLRACFV TSSLGGTTKE LRLVDGENKC SEQ ID 61 SGRVEVKIQE EWGTVCNNGW SMEAVSVICN QLGCPTAIKA TGWANSSAGS GRIWMDHVSC NO: 34 121 RGNESALWDC KHDGWGKHSN CTHQQDAGVT CSDGSDLEMR LTNGGNMCSG RIEIKFQGQW 181 GTVCDDNFNI NHASVVCKQL ECGSAVSFSG SANFGEGSGP IWFDDLICNG NESALWNCKH 241 QGWGKHNCDH AEDAGVICSK GADLSLRLVD GVTECSGRLE VRFQGEWGTI CDDGWDSHDA 301 AVACKQLGCP TAITAIGRVN ASEGFGHIWL DSVSCQGHEP AVWQCKHHEW GKHYCNHNED 361 AGVTCSDGSG LELRLRGGGS RCAGTVEVEI QRLLGKVCDR GWGLKEADVV CRQLGCGSAL 421 KTSYQVYSKI QATNMWLFLS SCNGNETSLW DCKNWQWGGL TCDHYEEAKI TCSAHREPRL 481 VGGDIPCSGR VEVKHGDTWG SVCDSDFSLE AASVLCRELQ CGTVVSILGG AHFGEGNGQI 541 WTEEFQCEGH ESHLSLCPVA PRPEGTCSHS RDVGVVCSRY TEIRLVNGKT PCEGRVELKT 601 LNAWGSLCNS HWDIEDAHVL CQQLKCGVAL STPGGAHFGK GNGQVWRHMF HCTGTEQHMG 661 DCPVTALGAS LCPSGQVASV ICSGNQSQTL SSRNSSSLGP TRPTIPEESA VACIESGQLR 721 LVNGGGRCAG RVEIYHEGSW GTICDDSWDL SDAHVVCRQL GCGEAINATG SAHFGEGTGP 781 IWLDEMKCNG KESRIWQCHS HGWGQQNCRH KEDAGVICSE FMSLRLTSEA SREACAGRLE 841 VFYNGAWGSV GRSNMSETTV GVVCRQLGCA DKGKINSASL DKAMSIPMWV DNVQCPKGPD 901 TLWQCPSSPW EKRLARPSEE TWITCDNKMR LQEGPTSCSG RVEIWHGGSW GTVCDDSWDL 961 NDAQVVCQQL GCGPALKAFK EAEFGQGTGP IWLNEVKCEG NESSLWDCPA RRWGHSECGH 1021 KEDAAVNCTD ISTRKTPQKA TTGQSSLIAV GILGVVLLAI FVALFLTQKR RQRQRLTVSS 1081 RGENLVHQIQ YREMNSCLNA DDLDLMNSSG GHSEAH 1 M  S  K  L  R  M  V  L  L  E  D  S  G  S  A  D  V  R  R  H  SEQ ID NO: 1 ATGAGCAAACTCAGAATGGTGCTACTTGAAGACTCTGGATCTGCTGACGTCAGAAGACAT 35 and 36 21 F  V  N  L  S  P  F  T  I  A  V  V  L  L  L  R  A  C  F  V 61 TTTGTCAACTTGAGTCCCTTCACTATTGCTGTGGTCTTACTTCTCCGTGCCTGTTTTGTC 41 T  S  S  L  G  G  T  T  K  E  L  R  L  V  D  G  E  N  K  C 121 ACCAGTTCTCTTGGAGGAACAACCAAGGAGCTGAGGCTAGTGGATGGTGAAAACAAGTGT 61 S  G  R  V  E  V  K  I  Q  E  E  W  G  T  V  C  N  N  G  W 181 AGTGGGAGAGTGGAAGTGAAAATCCAGGAGGAGTGGGGAACGGTGTGTAATAATGGCTGG 81 S  M  E  A  V  S  V  I  C  N  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  K  A 241 AGCATGGAAGCAGTCTCTGTGATTTGTAACCAGCTGGGATGTCCAACTGCTATCAAAGCC 101 T  G  W  A  N  S  S  A  G  S  G  R  I  W  M  D  H  V  S  C 301 ACTGGATGGGCTAATTCCAGTGCAGGTTCTGGACGCATTTGGATGGATCATGTTTCTTGT 121 R  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  D  C  K  H  D  G  W  G  K  H  S  N 361 CGTGGGAATGAGTCAGCTCTTTGGGACTGCAAACATGATGGATGGGGAAAGCATAGTAAC 141 C  T  H  Q  Q  D  A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  M  R 421 TGTACTCACCAACAAGATGCTGGAGTAACTTGCTCAGATGGATCCGATTTGGAAATGAGG 161 L  T  N  G  G  N  M  C  S  G  R  I  E  I  K  F  Q  G  Q  W 481 CTGACGAATGGAGGGAATATGTGTTCTGGAAGAATAGAGATCAAATTCCAAGGACAGTGG 181 G  T  V  C  D  D  N  F  N  I  N  H  A  S  V  V  C  K  Q  L 541 GGAACAGTGTGTGATGATAACTTCAACATCAATCATGCATCTGTGGTTTGTAAACAACTT 201 E  C  G  S  A  V  S  F  S  G  S  A  N  F  G  E  G  S  G  P 601 GAATGTGGAAGTGCTGTCAGTTTCTCTGGTTCAGCTAATTTTGGAGAAGGCTCTGGACCA 221 I  W  F  D  D  L  I  C  N  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  N  C  K  H 661 ATCTGGTTTGATGATCTTATATGCAACGGAAATGAGTCAGCTCTCTGGAACTGCAAACAT 241 Q  G  W  G  K  H  N  C  D  H  A  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  K 721 CAAGGATGGGGAAAGCATAACTGTGATCATGCTGAGGATGCTGGAGTGATTTGCTCAAAG 261 G  A  D  L  S  L  R  L  V  D  G  V  T  E  C  S  G  R  L  E 781 GGAGCAGATCTGAGCCTGAGACTGGTAGATGGAGTCACTGAATGTTCAGGAAGATTAGAA 281 V  R  F  Q  G  E  W  G  T  I  C  D  D  G  W  D  S  H  D  A 841 GTGAGATTCCAAGGAGAATGGGGGACAATATGTGATGACGGCTGGGACAGTCATGATGCT 301 A  V  A  C  K  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  T  A  I  G  R  V  N 901 GCTGTGGCATGCAAGCAACTGGGATGTCCAACTGCTATCACCGCCATTGGTCGAGTTAAC 321 A  S  E  G  F  G  H  I  W  L  D  S  V  S  C  Q  G  H  E  P 961 GCCAGTGAGGGATTTGGACACATCTGGCTTGACAGTGTTTCTTGCCAGGGACATGAACCT 341 A  V  W  Q  C  K  H  H  E  W  G  K  H  Y  C  N  H  N  E  D 1021 GCGGTCTGGCAATGTAAACACCATGAATGGGGAAAGCATTATTGCAATCACAATGAAGAT 361 A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  L  R  L  R  G  G  G  S 1081 GCTGGCGTAACATGTTCTGATGGATCAGATCTGGAGCTAAGACTTAGAGGTGGAGGCAGC 381 R  C  A  G  T  V  E  V  E  I  Q  R  L  L  G  K  V  C  D  R 1141 CGCTGTGCTGGgACAGTTGAGGTgGAGATTCAGAGACTGTTAGGGAAGGTGTGTGACAGA 401 G  W  G  L  K  E  A  D  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  G  S  A  L 1201 GGCTGGGGACTGAAAGAAGCTGATGTGGTTTGCAGGCAGCTGGGATGTGGATCTGCACTC 421 K  T  S  Y  Q  V  Y  S  K  I  Q  A  T  N  M  W  L  F  L  S 1261 AAAACATCCTATCAAGTATACTCCAAAATCCAGGCAACAAACATGTGGCTGTTTCTAAGT 441 S  C  N  G  N  E  T  S  L  W  D  C  K  N  W  Q  W  G  G  L 1321 AGCTGTAACGGAAATGAAACTTCTCTTTGGGACTGCAAGAACTGGCAATGGGGTGGACTT 461 T  C  D  H  Y  E  E  A  K  I  T  C  S  A  H  R  E  P  R  L 1381 ACCTGTGATCACTATGAAGAAGCCAAAATTACCTGCTCAGCCCACAGGGAACCCAGACTG 481 V  G  G  D  I  P  C  S  G  R  V  E  V  K  H  G  D  T  W  G 1441 GTTGGAGGAGACATTCCCTGTTCTGGACGCGTTGAAGTGAAGCATGGTGACACATGGGGC 501 S  V  C  D  S  D  F  S  L  E  A  A  S  V  L  C  R  E  L  Q 1501 TCCGTCTGTGATTCGGATTTCTCTCTGGAAGCTGCCAGCGTTCTATGCAGGGAATTACAG 521 C  G  T  V  V  S  I  L  G  G  A  H  F  G  E  G  N  G  Q  I 1561 TGTGGCACAGTCGTCTCTATCCTGGGGGAGGCTCACTTTGGAGAGGGAAATGGACAGATC 541 W  T  E  E  F  Q  C  E  G  H  E  S  H  L  S  L  C  P  V  A 1621 TGGACTGAAGAATTCCAGTGTGAGGGACATGAGTCCCATCTTTCACTCTGCCCAGTAGCA 561 P  R  P  E  G  T  C  S  H  S  R  D  V  G  V  V  C  S  R  Y 1681 CCCCGCCCAGAAGGAACTTGTAGCCACAGCAGGGATGTTGGAGTAGTCTGCTCAAGATAC 581 T  E  I  R  L  V  N  G  K  T  P  C  E  G  R  V  E  L  K  T 1741 ACAGAAATTCGCTTGGTGAATGGCAAGACCCCATGTGAGGGCAGAGTGGAGCTCAAAACG 601 L  N  A  W  G  S  L  C  N  S  H  W  D  I  E  D  A  H  V  L 1801 CTTAATGCCTGGGGATCCCTCTGCAACTCTCACTGGGACATAGAAGATGCCCACGTTCTT 621 C  Q  Q  L  K  C  G  V  A  L  S  T  P  G  G  A  H  F  G  K 1861 TGCCAACAACTTAAATGTGGAGTTGCCCTTTCTACCCCAGGAGGAGCACATTTTGGAAAA 641 G  N  G  Q  V  W  R  H  M  F  H  C  T  G  T  E  Q  H  M  G 1921 GGAAATGGTCAGGTCTGGAGGCATATGTTTCACTGCACTGGGACTGAGCAGCACATGGGA 661 D  C  P  V  T  A  L  G  A  S  L  C  P  S  G  Q  V  A  S  V 1981 GATTGTCCTGTAACTGCTCTGGGTGCTTCACTATGTCCTTCAGGGCAAGTGGCCTCTGTA 681 I  C  S  G  N  Q  S  Q  T  L  S  S  C  N  S  S  S  L  G  P 2041 ATTTGCTCAGGAAACCAGTCCCAAACACTGTCCTCGTGCAATTCATCATCTCTGGGCCCA 701 T  R  P  T  I  P  E  E  S  A  V  A  C  I  E  S  G  Q  L  R 2101 ACAAGGCCTACCATTCCAGAAGAAAGTGCTGTGGCCTGCATAGAGAGTGGTCAACTTCGC 721 L  V  N  G  G  G  R  C  A  G  R  V  E  I  Y  H  E  G  S  W 2161 TTGGTAAATGGAGGAGGTCGCTGTGCTGGGAGAGTAGAGATTTATCATGAGGGCTCCTGG 741 G  T  I  C  D  D  S  W  D  L  S  D  A  H  V  V  C  R  Q  L 2221 GGCACCATCTGTGATGACAGCTGGGACCTGAGCGATGCCCACGTGGTGTGCAGACAGCTG 761 G  C  G  E  A  I  N  A  T  G  S  A  H  F  G  E  G  T  G  P 2281 GGCTGTGGAGAGGCCATTAATGCCACTGGTTCTGCTCATTTTGGAGAAGGAACAGGGCCC 781 I  W  L  D  E  M  K  C  N  G  K  E  S  R  I  W  Q  C  H  S 2341 ATCTGGCTGGATGAGATGAAATGCAATGGAAAAGAATCCCGCATTTGGCAGTGCCATTCA 801 H  G  W  G  Q  Q  N  C  R  H  K  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  E 2401 CATGGCTGGGGGCAGCAAAACTGCAGGCACAAGGAGGATGCAGGAGTTATCTGCTCAGAG 821 F  M  S  L  R  L  T  S  E  A  S  R  E  A  C  A  G  R  L  E 2461 TTCATGTCTCTGAGACTGACCAGTGAAGCCAGCAGAGAGGCCTGTGCAGGGCGTCTAGAA 841 V  F  Y  N  G  A  W  G  S  V  G  R  S  N  M  S  E  T  T  V 2521 GTTTTTTACAACGGAGCTTGGGGCAGTGTTGGCAGGAGTAACATGTCTGAAACCACTGTG 861 G  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  A  D  K  G  K  I  N  S  A  S  L 2581 GGTGTAGTGTGCAGGCAGCTGGGCTGTGCAGACAAAGGGAAAATCAACTCTGCATCTTTA 881 D  K  A  M  S  I  P  M  W  V  D  N  V  Q  C  P  K  G  P  D 2641 GACAAGGCCATGTCCATTCCCATGTGGGTGGACAATGTTCAGTGTCCAAAAGGACCTGAC 901 T  L  W  Q  C  P  S  S  P  W  E  K  R  L  A  R  P  S  E  E 2701 ACGCTGTGGCAGTGCCCATCATCTCCATGGGAGAAGAGACTGGCCAGGCCCTCGGAGGAG 921 T  W  I  T  C  D  N  K  M  R  L  Q  E  G  P  T  S  C  S  G 2761 ACCTGGATCACATGTGACAACAAGATGAGACTACAAGAAGGACCCACTTCCTGTTCTGGA 941 R  V  E  I  W  H  G  G  S  W  G  T  V  C  D  D  S  W  D  L 2821 CGTGTGGAGATCTGGCACGGAGGTTCCTGGGGGACAGTGTGTGATGACTCCTGGGACTTG 961 N  D  A  Q  V  V  C  Q  Q  L  G  C  G  P  A  L  K  A  F  K 2881 AACGATGCTCAGGTGGTGTGTCAACAACTTGGCTGTGGTCCAGCTTTGAAAGCATTCAAA 981 E  A  E  F  G  Q  G  T  G  P  I  W  L  N  E  V  K  C  K  G 2941 GAAGCAGAGTTTGGTCAGGGGACTGGACCCATATGGCTCAATGAAGTGAAGTGCAAAGGG 1001 N  E  S  S  L  W  D  C  P  A  R  R  W  G  H  S  E  C  G  H 3001 AATGAGTCTTCCTTGTGGGATTGTCCTGCCAGACGCTGGGGCCACAGTGAGTGTGGACAC 1021 K  E  D  A  A  V  N  C  T  D  I  S  T  R  K  T  P  Q  K  A 3061 AAGGAAGACGCTGCAGTGAATTGCACAGATATTTCAACGCGCAAAACCCCACAAAAAGCC 1041 T  T  G  Q  S  S  L  I  A  V  G  I  L  G  V  V  L  L  A  I 3121 ACAACAGGTCAGTCATCCCTTATTGCAGTCGGAATCCTTGGAGTTGTTCTCTTGGCCATT 1061 F  V  A  L  F  L  T  Q  K  R  R  Q  R  Q  R  L  T  V  S  S 3181 TTCGTCGCATTATTCTTGACTCAAAAGCGAAGACAGAGACAGCGGCTTACAGTTTCCTCA 1081 R  G  E  N  L  V  H  Q  I  Q  Y  R  E  M  N  S  C  L  N  A 3241 AGAGGAGAGAACTTAGTCCACCAAATTCAATACCGGGAGATGAATTCTTGCCTGAATGCA 1101 D  D  L  D  L  M  N  S  S  E  N  S  N  E  S  A  D  F  N  A 3301 GATGATCTGGACCTAATGAATTCCTCAGAAAATTCCAATGAGTCAGCTGATTTCAATGCT 1121 A  E  L  I  S  V  S  K  F  L  P  I  S  G  M  E  K  E  A  I 3361 GCTGAACTAATTTCTGTGTCTAAATTTCTTCCTATTTCTGGAATGGAAAAGGAGGCCATT 1141 L  R  H  T  E  K  E  N  G  N  L 3421 CTGAGGCACACTGAAAAGGAAAATGGGAATTTA 1 MSKLRMVLLE DSGSADVRRH FVNLSPFTIA VVLLLRACFV TSSLGGTTKE LRLVDGENKC SEQ ID 61 SGRVEVKIQE EWGTVCNNGW SMEAVSVICN QLGCPTAIKA TGWANSSAGS GRIWMDHVSC NO: 36 121 RGNESALWDC KHDGWGKHSN CTHQQDAGVT CSDGSDLEMR LTNGGNMCSG RIEIKFQGQW 181 GTVCDDNFNI NHASVVCKQL ECGSAVSFSG SANFGEGSGP IWFDDLICNG NESALWNCKH 241 QGWGKHNCDH AEDAGVICSK GADLSLRLVD GVTECSGRLE VRFQGEWGTI CDDGWDSHDA 301 AVACKQLGCP TAITAIGRVN ASEGFGHIWL DSVSCQGHEP AVWQCKHHEW GKHYCNHNED 361 AGVTCSDGSD LELRLRGGGS RCAGTVEVEI QRLLGKVCDR GWGLKEADVV CRQLGCGSAL 421 KTSYQVYSKI QATNMWLFLS SCNGNETSLW DCKNWQWGGL TCDHYEEAKI TCSAHREPRL 481 VGGDIPCSGR VEVKHGDTWG SVCDSDFSLE AASVLCRELQ CGTVVSILGG AHFGEGNGQI 541 WTEEFQCEGH ESHLSLCPVA PRPEGTCSHS RDVGVVCSRY TEIRLVNGKT PCEGRVELKT 601 LNAWGSLCNS HWDIEDAHVL CQQLKCGVAL STPGGAHFGK GNGQVWRHMF HCTGTEQHMG 661 DCPVTALGAS LCPSGQVASV ICSGNQSQTL SSCNSSSLGP TRPTIPEESA VACIESGQLR 721 LVNGGGRCAG RVEIYHEGSW GTICDDSWDL SDAHVVCRQL GCGEAINATG SAHFGEGTGP 781 IWLDEMKCNG KESRIWQCHS HGWGQQNCRH KEDAGVICSE FMSLRLTSEA SREACAGRLE 841 VFYNGAWGSV GRSNMSETTV GVVCRQLGCA DKGKINSASL DKAMSIPMWV DNVQCPKGPD 901 TLWQCPSSPW EKRLARPSEE TWITCDNKMR LQEGPTSCSG RVEIWHGGSW GTVCDDSWDL 961 NDAQVVCQQL GCGPALKAFK EAEFGQGTGP IWLNEVKCKG NESSLWDCPA RRWGHSECGH 1021 KEDAAVNCTD ISTRKTPQKA TTGQSSLIAV GILGVVLLAI FVALFLTQKR RQRQRLTVSS 1081 RGENLVHQIQ YREMNSCLNA DDLDLMNSSE NSNESADFNA AELISVSKFL PISGMEKEAI 1141 LRHTEKENGN L 1 M  S  K  L  R  M  V  L  L  E  D  S  G  S  A  D  V  R  R  H SEQ ID NO: 1 ATGAGCAAACTCAGAATGGTGCTACTTGAAGACTCTGGATCTGCTGACGTCAGAAGACAT 37 and 38 21 F  V  N  L  S  P  F  T  I  A  V  V  L  L  L  R  A  C  F  V 61 TTTGTCAACTTGAGTCCCTTCACTATTGCTGTGGTCTTACTTCTCCGTGCCTGTTTTGTC 41 T  S  S  L  G  G  T  T  K  E  L  R  L  V  D  G  E  N  K  C 121 ACCAGTTCTCTTGGAGGAACAACCAAGGAGCTGAGGCTAGTGGATGGTGAAAACAAGTGT 61 S  G  R  V  E  V  K  I  Q  E  E  W  G  T  V  C  N  N  G  W 181 AGTGGGAGAGTGGAAGTGAAAATCCAGGAGGAGTGGGGAACGGTGTGTAATAATGGCTGG 81 S  M  E  A  V  S  V  I  C  N  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  K  A 241 AGCATGGAAGCAGTCTCTGTGATTTGTAACCAGCTGGGATGTCCAACTGCTATCAAAGCC 101 T  G  W  A  N  S  S  A  G  S  G  R  I  W  M  D  H  V  S  C 301 ACTGGATGGGCTAATTCCAGTGCAGGTTCTGGACGCATTTGGATGGATCATGTTTCTTGT 121 R  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  D  C  K  H  D  G  W  G  K  H  S  N 361 CGTGGGAATGAGTCAGCTCTTTGGGACTGCAAACATGATGGATGGGGAAAGCATAGTAAC 141 C  T  H  Q  Q  D  A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  M  R 421 TGTACTCACCAACAAGATGCTGGAGTAACTTGCTCAGATGGATCCGATTTGGAAATGAGG 161 L  T  N  G  G  N  M  C  S  G  R  I  E  I  K  F  Q  G  Q  W 481 CTGACGAATGGAGGGAATATGTGTTCTGGAAGAATAGAGATCAAATTCCAAGGACAGTGG 181 G  T  V  C  D  D  N  F  N  I  N  H  A  S  V  V  C  K  Q  L 541 GGAACAGTGTGTGATGATAACTTCAACATCAATCATGCATCTGTGGTTTGTAAACAACTT 201 E  C  G  S  A  V  S  F  S  G  S  A  N  F  G  E  G  S  G  P 601 GAATGTGGAAGTGCTGTCAGTTTCTCTGGTTCAGCTAATTTTGGAGAAGGCTCTGGACCA 221 I  W  F  D  D  L  I  C  H  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  N  C  K  H 661 ATCTGGTTTGATGATCTTATATGCAACGGAAATGAGTCAGCTCTCTGGAACTGCAAACAT 241 Q  G  W  G  K  H  N  C  D  H  A  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  K 721 CAAGGATGGGGAAAGCATAACTGTGATCATGCTGAGGATGCTGGAGTGATTTGCTCAAAG 261 G  A  D  L  S  L  R  L  V  D  G  V  T  E  C  S  G  R  L  E 781 GGAGCAGATCTGAGCCTGAGACTGGTAGATGGAGTCACTGAATGTTCAGGAAGATTAGAA 281 V  R  F  Q  G  E  W  G  T  I  C  D  D  G  W  D  S  H  D  A 841 GTGAGATTCCAAGGAGAATGGGGGACAATATGTGATGACGGCTGGGACAGTCATGATGCT 301 A  V  A  C  K  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  T  A  I  G  R  V  N 901 GCTGTGGCATGCAAGCAACTGGGATGTCCAACTGCTATCACCGCCATTGGTCGAGTTAAC 321 A  S  E  G  F  G  H  I  W  L  D  S  V  S  C  Q  G  H  E  P 961 GCCAGTGAGGGATTTGGACACATCTGGCTTGACAGTGTTTCTTGCCAGGGACATGAACCT 341 A  V  W  Q  C  K  H  H  E  W  G  K  H  Y  C  N  H  N  E  D 1021 GCGGTCTGGCAATGTAAACACCATGAATGGGGAAAGCATTATTGCAATCACAATGAAGAT 361 A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  L  R  L  A  G  G  G  S 1081 GCTGGCGTAACATGTTCTGATGGATCAGATCTGGAGCTAAGACTTAGAGGTGGAGGCAGC 381 R  C  A  G  T  V  E  V  E  I  Q  R  L  L  G  K  V  C  D  R 1141 CGCTGTGCTGGGACAGTTGAGGTGGAGATTCAGAGACTGTTAGGGAAGGTGTGTGACAGA 401 G  W  G  L  K  E  A  D  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  G  S  A  L 1201 GGCTGGGGACTGAAAGAAGCTGATGTGGTTTGCAGGCAGCTGGGATGTGGATCTGCACTC 421 K  T  S  Y  Q  V  Y  S  K  I  Q  A  T  N  M  W  L  F  L  S 1261 AAAACATCCTATCAAGTATACTCCAAAATCCAGGCAACAAACATGTGGCTGTTTCTAAGT 441 S  C  N  G  N  E  T  S  L  W  D  C  K  N  W  Q  W  G  G  L 1321 AGCTGTAACGGAAATGAAACTTCTCTTTGGGACTGCAAGAACTGGCAATGGGGTGGACTT 461 T  C  D  H  Y  E  E  A  K  I  T  C  S  A  H  R  E  P  R  L 1381 ACCTGTGATCACTATGAAGAAGCCAAAATTACCTGCTCAGCCCACAGGGAACCCAGACTG 481 V  G  G  D  I  P  C  S  G  R  V  E  V  K  H  G  D  T  W  G 1441 GTTGGAGGAGACATTCCCTGTTCTGGACGCGTTGAAGTGAAGCATGGTGACACATGGGGC 501 S  V  C  D  S  D  F  S  L  E  A  A  S  V  L  C  R  E  L  Q 1501 TCCGTCTGTGATTCGGATTTCTCTCTGGAAGCTGCCAGCGTTCTATGCAGGGAATTACAG 521 C  G  T  V  V  S  I  L  G  G  A  H  F  G  E  G  N  G  Q  I 1561 TGTGGCACAGTCGTCTCTATCCTGGGGGGAGCTCACTTTGGAGAGGGAAATGGACAGATC 541 W  T  E  E  F  Q  C  E  G  H  E  S  H  L  S  L  C  P  V  A 1621 TGGACTGAAGAATTCCAGTGTGAGGGACATGAGTCCCATCTTTCACTCTGCCCAGTAGCA 561 P  R  P  E  G  T  C  S  H  S  R  D  V  G  V  V  C  S  R  Y 1681 CCCCGCCCAGAAGGAACTTGTAGCCACAGCAGGGATGTTGGAGTAGTCTGCTCAAGATAC 581 T  E  I  R  L  V  N  G  K  T  P  C  E  G  R  V  E  L  K  T 1741 ACAGAAATTCGCTTGGTGAATGGCAAGACCCCATGTGAGGGCAGAGTGGAGCTCAAAACG 601 L  N  A  W  G  S  L  C  N  S  H  W  D  I  E  D  A  H  V  L 1801 CTTAATGCCTGGGGATCCCTCTGCAACTCTCACTGGGACATAGAAGATGCCCACGTTCTT 621 C  Q  Q  L  K  C  G  V  A  L  S  T  P  G  G  A  H  F  G  K 1861 TGCCAACAACTTAAATGTGGAGTTGCCCTTTCTACCCCAGGAGGAGCACATTTTGGAAAA 641 G  N  G  Q  V  W  R  H  M  F  H  C  T  G  T  E  Q  H  M  G 1921 GGAAATGGTCAGGTCTGGAGGCATATGTTTCACTGCACTGGGACTGAGCAGCACATGGGA 661 D  C  P  V  T  A  L  G  A  S  L  C  P  S  G  Q  V  A  S  V 1981 GATTGTCCTGTAACTGCTCTGGGTGCTTCACTATGTCCTTCAGGGCAAGTGGCCTCTGTA 681 I  C  S  G  N  Q  S  Q  T  L  S  S  C  N  S  S  S  L  G  P 2041 ATTTGCTCAGGAAACCAGTCCCAAACACTGTCCTCGTGCAATTCATCATCTCTGGGCCCA 701 T  R  P  T  I  P  E  E  S  A  V  A  C  I  E  S  G  Q  L  R 2101 ACAAGGCCTACCATTCCAGAAGAAAGTGCTGTGGCCTGCATAGAGAGTGGTCAACTTCGC 721 L  V  N  G  G  G  R  C  A  G  R  V  E  I  Y  H  E  G  S  W 2161 TTGGTAAATGGAGGAGGTCGCTGTGCTGGGAGAGTAGAGATTTATCATGAGGGCTCCTGG 741 G  T  I  C  D  D  S  W  D  L  S  D  A  H  V  V  C  R  Q  L 2221 GGCACCATCTGTGATGACAGCTGGGACCTGAGCGATGCCCACGTGGTGTGCAGACAGCTG 761 G  C  G  E  A  I  N  A  T  G  S  A  H  F  G  E  G  T  G  P 2281 GGCTGTGGAGAGGCCATTAATGCCACTGGTTCTGCTCATTTTGGAGAAGGAACAGGGCCC 781 I  W  L  D  E  M  K  C  N  G  K  E  S  R  I  W  Q  C  H  S 2341 ATCTGGCTGGATGAGATGAAATGCAATGGAAAAGAATCCCGCATTTGGCAGTGCCATTCA 801 H  G  W  G  Q  Q  N  C  R  H  K  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  E 2401 CATGGCTGGGGGCAGCAAAACTGCAGGCACAAGGAGGATGCAGGAGTTATCTGCTCAGAG 821 F  M  S  L  R  L  T  S  E  A  S  R  E  A  C  A  G  R  L  E 2461 TTCATGTCTCTGAGACTGACCAGTGAAGCCAGCAGAGAGGCCTGTGCAGGGCGTCTAGAA 841 V  F  Y  N  G  A  W  G  S  V  G  R  S  N  M  S  E  T  T  V 2521 GTTTTTTACAACGGAGCTTGGGGCAGTGTTGGCAGGAGTAACATGTCTGAAACCACTGTG 861 G  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  A  D  K  G  K  I  N  S  A  S  L 2581 GGTGTAGTGTGCAGGCAGCTGGGCTGTGCAGACAAAGGGAAAATCAACTCTGCATCTTTA 881 D  K  A  M  S  I  P  M  W  V  D  N  V  Q  C  P  K  G  P  D 2641 GACAAGGCCATGTCCATTCCCATGTGGGTGGACAATGTTCAGTGTCCAAAAGGACCTGAC 901 T  L  W  Q  C  P  S  S  P  W  E  K  R  L  A  R  P  S  E  E 2701 ACGCTGTGGCAGTGCCCATCATCTCCATGGGAGAAGAGACTGGCCAGGCCCTCGGAGGAG 921 T  W  I  T  C  D  N  K  M  R  L  Q  E  G  P  T  S  C  S  G 2761 ACCTGGATCACATGTGACAACAAGATGAGACTACAAGAAGGACCCACTTCCTGTTCTGGA 941 R  V  E  I  W  H  G  G  S  W  G  T  V  C  D  D  S  W  D  L 2821 CGTGTGGAGATCTGGCACGGAGGTTCCTGGGGGACAGTGTGTGATGACTCCTGGGACTTG 961 N  D  A  Q  V  V  C  Q  Q  L  G  C  G  P  A  L  K  A  F  K 2881 AACGATGCTCAGGTGGTGTGTCAACAACTTGGCTGTGGTCCAGCTTTGAAAGCATTCAAA 981 E  A  E  F  G  Q  G  T  G  P  I  W  L  N  E  V  K  C  K  G 2941 GAAGCAGAGTTTGGTCAGGGGACTGGACCCATATGGCTCAATGAAGTGAAGTGCAAAGGG 1001 N  E  S  S  L  W  D  C  P  A  R  R  W  G  H  S  E  C  G  H 3001 AATGAGTCTTCCTTGTGGGATTGTCCTGCCAGACGCTGGGGCCACAGTGAGTGTGGACAC 1021 K  E  D  A  A  V  N  C  T  D  I  S  T  R  K  T  P  Q  K  A 3061 AAGGAAGACGCTGCGGTGAATTGCACAGATATTTCAACGCGCAAAACCCCACAAAAAGCC 1041 T  T  V  S  S  R  G  E  N  L  V  H  Q  I  Q  Y  R  E  M  N 3121 ACAACGGTTTCCTCAAGAGGAGAGAACTTAGTCCACCAAATTCAATACCGGGAGATGAAT 1061 S  C  L  N  A  D  D  L  N  L  M  N  S  S  G  G  H  S  E  A 3181 TCTTGCCTGAATGCAGATGATCTGAACCTAATGAATTCCTCAGGAGGCCATTCTGAGGCA 1081 H  *  K  G  K  W  E  F  I  T  Q 3241 CACTGAAAAGGAAAATGGGAATTTATAACCCAG 1 MSKLRMVLLE DSGSADVRRH FVNLSPFTIA VVLLLRACFV TSSLGGTTKE LRLVDGENKC SEQ ID 61 SGRVEVKIQE EWGTVCNNGW SMEAVSVICN QLGCPTAIKA TGWANSSAGS GRIWMDHVSC NO: 38 121 RGNESALWDC KHDGWGKHSN CTHQQDAGVT CSDGSDLEMR LTNGGNMCSG RIEIKFQGQW 181 GTVCDDNFNI NHASVVCKQL ECGSAVSFSG SANFGEGSGP IWFDDLICNG NESALWNCKH 241 QGWGKENCDH AEDAGVICSK GADLSLRLVD GVTECSGRLE VRFQGEWGTI CDDGWDSHDA 301 AVACKQLGCP TAITAIGRVN ASEGFGHIWL DSVSCQGHEP AVWQCKHHEW GKHYCNHNED 361 AGVTCSDGSD LELRLRGGGS RCAGTVEVEI QRLLGKVCDR GWGLKEADVV CRQLGCGSAL 421 KTSYQVYSKI QATNMWLFLS SCNGNETSLW DCKNWQWGGL TCDHYEEAKI TCSAHREPRL 481 VGGDIPCSGR VEVKHGDTWG SVCDSDFSLE AASVLCRELQ CGTVVSILGG AHFGEGNGQI 541 WTEEFQCEGH ESHLSLCPVA PRPEGTCSHS RDVGVVCSRY TEIRLVNGKT PCEGRVELKT 601 LNAWGSLCNS HWDIEDAHVL CQQLKCGVAL STPGGAHFGK GNGQVWRHMF HCTGTEQHMG 661 DCPVTALGAS LCPSGQVASV ICSGNQSQTL SSCNSSSLGP TRPTIPEESA VACIESGQLR 721 LVNGGGRCAG RVEIYHEGSW GTICDDSWDL SDAHVVCRQL GCGEAINATG SAHFGEGTGP 781 IWLDEMKCNG KESRIWQCHS HGWGQQNCRH KEDAGVICSE FMSLRLTSEA SREACAGRLE 841 VFYNGAWGSV GRSNMSETTV GVVCRQLGCA DKGKINSASL DKAMSIPMWV DNVQCPKGPD 901 TLWQCPSSPW EKRLARPSEE TWITCDNKMR LQEGPTSCSG RVEIWHGGSW GTVCDDSWDL 961 NDAQVVCQQL GCGPALKAFK EAEFGQGTGP IWLNEVKCKG NESSLWDCPA RRWGHSECGH 1021 KEDAAVNCTD ISTRKTPQKA TTVSSRGENL VHQIQYREMN SCLNADDLNL MNSSGGHSEA 1081 H 1 M  S  K  L  R  M  V  L  L  E  D  S  G  S  A  D  V  R  R  H SEQ ID NO: 1 ATGAGCAAACTCaGAATGGTGCTACTTGAAGACTCTGGATCTGCTGACGTCAGAAGACAT 39 and 40 21 F  V  N  L  S  P  F  T  I  A  V  V  L  L  L  R  A  C  F  V 61 TTTGTCAACTTGAGTCCCTTCACTATTGCTGTGGTCTTACTTCTCCGTGCCTGTTTTGTC 41 T  S  S  L  G  G  T  T  K  E  L  R  L  V  D  G  E  N  K  C 121 ACCAGTTCTCTTGGAGGAACAACCAAGGAGCTGAGGCTAGTGGATGGTGAAAACAAGTGT 61 S  G  R  V  E  V  K  I  Q  E  E  W  G  T  V  C  N  N  G  W 181 AGTGGGAGAGTGGAAGTGAAAATCCAGGAGGAGTGGGGAACGGTGTGTAATAATGGCTGG 81 S  M  E  A  V  S  V  I  C  N  Q  L  G  C  R  T  A  I  K  A 241 AGCATGGAAGCAGTCTCTGTGATTTGTAACCAGCTGGGATGTCCAACTGCTATCAAAGCC 101 T  G  W  A  N  S  S  A  G  S  G  R  I  W  M  D  M  V  S  C 301 ACTGGATGGGCTAATTCCAGTGCAGGTTCTGGACGCATTTGGATGGATCATGTTTCTTGT 121 R  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  D  C  K  H  D  G  W  G  K  H  S  N 361 CGTGGGAATGAGTCAGCTCTTTGGGACTOCAAACATGATGGATOGOGAAAGCATAGTAAC 141 C  T  H  Q  Q  D  A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  M  R 421 TGTACTCACCAACAAGATGCTGGAGTGACTTGCTCAGATGGATCCGATTTGGAAATGAGG 161 L  T  N  G  G  N  M  C  S  G  R  I  E  I  K  E  Q  G  Q  W 481 CTGACGAATGGAGGGAATATGTGTTCTGGAAGAATAGAGATCAAATTCCAAGGACAGTGG 181 G  T  V  C  D  D  N  F  N  V  N  H  A  S  V  V  C  K  Q  L 541 GGAACAGTGTGTGATGATAACTTCAACGTCAATCATGCATCTGTGGTTTGTAAACAACTT 201 E  C  G  S  A  V  S  E  S  G  S  A  N  F  G  E  G  S  G  P 601 GAATGTGGAAGTGCTGTCAGTTTCTCTGGTTCAGCTAATTTTGGAGAAGGCTCTGGACCA 221 I  W  F  D  D  L  I  C  N  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  N  C  K  H 661 ATCTGGTTTGATGATCTTATATGCAACGGAAATGAGTCAGCTCTCTGGAACTGCAAACAT 241 Q  G  W  G  K  H  N  C  D  H  A  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  K 721 CAAGGATGGGGAAAGCATAACTGTGATCATGCTGAGGATGCTGGAGTGATTTGCTCAAAG 261 G  A  D  L  S  L  R  L  V  D  G  V  T  E  C  S  G  R  L  E 781 GGAGCAGATCTGAGCCTGAGACTGGTAGATGGAGTCACTGAATGTTCAGGAAGATTAGAA 281 V  R  F  Q  G  E  W  G  T  I  C  D  D  G  W  D  S  H  D  A 841 GTGAGATTCCAAGGAGAATGGGGGACAATATGTGATGACGGCTGGGACACTCATGATGCT 301 A  V  A  C  K  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  T  A  I  G  R  V  N 901 GCTGTGGCATGCAAGCAACTGGGATGTCCAACTGCTATCACCGCCATTGGTCGAGTTAAC 321 A  S  E  G  F  G  H  I  W  L  D  S  V  S  C  Q  G  H  E  P 961 GCCAGTGAGGGATTTGGACACATCTGGCTTGACAGTGTTTCTTGCCAGGCACATGAACCT 341 A  V  W  Q  C  K  H  H  E  W  G  K  H  Y  C  N  H  N  E  D 1021 GCGGTCTGGCAATGTAAACACCATGAATGGGGAAAGCATTATTGCAATCACAATGAAGaT 361 A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  L  R  L  A  G  G  G  S 1081 GCTGGCGTAACATGTTCTGATGGATCAGATCTGGAGCTAAGACTTAGAGGTGGAGGCAGC 381 R  C  A  G  T  V  E  V  E  I  Q  R  L  L  G  K  V  C  D  R 1141 CGCTGTGCTGGGACAGTTGAGGTGGAGATtCAGAGACTGTTAGGGAAGGTGTGTGACAGA 401 G  W  G  L  K  E  A  D  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  G  S  A  L 1201 GGCTGGGGACTGAAAGAAGCTGATGTGGTTTGCAGGCAGCTGGGATGTGGATCTGCACTC 421 K  T  S  Y  Q  V  Y  S  K  I  Q  A  T  N  M  W  L  F  L  S 1261 AAAACATCCTATCAAGTATACTCCAAAATCCAGGCAACAAACATGTGGCTGTTTCTAAGT 441 S  C  N  G  N  E  T  S  L  W  D  C  K  N  W  Q  W  G  G  L 1321 AGCTGTAACGGAAATGAAACTTCTCTTTGGGACTGCAAGAACTGGCAATGGGGTGGACTT 461 T  C  D  H  Y  E  E  A  K  I  T  C  S  A  H  R  E  P  R  L 1381 ACCTGTGATCACTATGAAGAAGCCAAAATTACCTGCTCAGCCCACAGGGAACCCAGACTG 481 V  G  G  D  I  P  C  S  G  R  V  E  V  K  H  G  D  T  W  G 1441 GTTGGAGGAGACATTCCCTGTTCTGGACGCGTTGAAGTGAAGCATGGTGACACATGGGGC 501 S  V  C  D  S  D  F  S  L  E  A  A  S  V  L  C  R  E  L  Q 1501 TCCGTCTGTGATTCGGATTTCTCTCTGGAAGCTGCCAGCGTTCTATGCAGGGAATTACAG 521 C  G  T  V  V  S  I  L  G  G  A  H  F  G  E  G  N  G  Q  I 1561 TGTGGCACAGTCGTCTCTATCCTGGGGGGAGCTCACTTTGGAGAGGGAAATGGACAGATC 541 W  A  E  E  F  Q  C  E  G  H  E  S  H  L  S  L  C  P  V  A 1621 TGGGCTGAAGAATTCCAGTGTGAGGGACATGAGTCCCATCTTTCACTCTGCCCAGTAGCA 561 P  R  P  E  G  T  C  S  H  S  R  D  V  G  V  V  C  S  R  Y 1681 CCCCGCCCAGAAGGAACTTGTAGCCACAGCAGGGATGTTGGAGTAGTCTGCTCAAGATAC 581 T  E  I  R  L  V  N  G  K  T  P  C  E  G  R  V  E  L  K  T 1741 ACAGAAATTCGCTTGGTGAATGGCAAGACCCCATGTGAGGGCAGAGTGGAGCTCAAAACG 601 L  N  A  W  G  S  L  C  N  S  H  W  D  I  E  D  A  H  V  L 1801 CTTAATGCCTGGGGATCCCTCTGCAACTCTCACTGGGACATAGAAGATGCCCACGTTCTT 621 C  Q  Q  L  K  C  G  V  A  L  S  T  P  G  G  A  H  F  G  K 1861 TGCCAACAACTTAAATGTGGAGTTGCCCTTTCTACCCCAGGAGGAGCACATTTTGGAAAA 641 G  N  G  Q  V  W  R  H  M  F  H  C  T  G  T  E  Q  H  M  G 1921 GGAAATGGTCAGGTCTGGAGGCATATGTTTCACTGCACTGGGACTGAGCAGCACATGGGA 661 D  C  P  V  T  A  L  G  A  S  L  C  P  S  G  Q  V  A  S  V 1981 GATTGTCCTGTAACTGCTCTGGGTGCTTCACTATGTCCTTCAGGGCAAGTGGCCTCTGTA 681 I  C  S  G  N  Q  S  Q  T  L  S  S  C  N  S  S  S  L  G  P 2041 ATTTGCTCAGGAAACCAGTCCCAAACACTGTCCTCGTGCAATTCATCATCTCTGGGCCCA 701 T  R  P  T  I  P  E  E  S  A  V  A  C  I  E  S  G  Q  L  R 2101 ACAAGGCCTACCATTCCAGAAGAAAGTGCTGTGGCCTGCATAGAGAGTGGTCAACTTCGC 721 L  V  N  G  G  G  R  C  A  G  R  V  E  I  Y  H  E  G  S  W 2161 TTGGTAAATGGAGGAGGTCGCTGTGCTGGGAGAGTAGAGATTTATCATGAGGGCTCCTGG 741 G  T  I  C  D  D  S  W  D  L  S  D  A  H  V  V  C  R  Q  L 2221 GGCACCATCTGTGATGACAGCTGGGACCTGAGCGATGCCCACGTGGTGTGCAGACAGCTG 761 G  C  G  E  A  I  N  A  T  G  S  A  H  F  G  E  G  T  G  P 2281 GGCTGTGGAGAGGCCATTAATGCCACTGGTTCTGCTCATTTTGGAGAAGGAACAGGGCCC 781 I  W  L  D  E  M  K  C  N  G  K  E  S  R  I  W  Q  C  H  S 2341 ATCTGGCTGGATGAGATGAAATGCAATGGAAAAGAATCCCGTATTTGGCAGTGCCATTCA 801 H  G  W  G  Q  Q  N  C  R  H  K  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  E 2401 CATGGCTGGGGGCAGCAAAACTGCAGGCACAAGGAGGATGCAGGAGTTATCTGCTCAGAG 821 F  M  S  L  R  L  T  S  E  A  S  R  E  A  C  A  G  R  L  E 2461 TTCATGTCTCTGAGACTGACCAGTGAAGCCAGCAGAGAGGCCTGTGCAGGGCGTCTAGAA 841 V  F  Y  N  G  A  W  G  S  V  G  R  S  N  M  S  E  T  T  V 2521 GTTTTTTACAACGGAGCTTGGGGCAGTGTTGGCAGGAGTAACATGTCTGAAACCACTGTG 861 G  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  A  D  K  G  K  I  N  S  A  S  L 2581 GGTGTGGTGTGCAGGCAGCTGGGCTGTGCAGACAAAGGGAAAATCAACTCTGCATCTTTA 881 D  K  A  M  S  I  P  M  W  V  D  N  V  Q  C  P  K  G  P  D 2641 GACAAGGCCATGTCCATTCCCATGTGGGTGGACAATGTTCAGTGTCCAAAAGGACCTGAC 901 T  L  W  Q  C  P  S  S  P  W  E  K  R  L  A  R  P  S  E  E 2701 ACGCTGTGGCAGTGCCCATCATCTCCATGGGAGAAGAGACTGGCCAGGCCCTCGGAGGAG 921 T  W  I  T  C  D  N  K  M  R  L  Q  E  G  P  T  S  C  S  G 2761 ACCTGGATCACATGTGACAACAAGATGAGACTACAAGAAGGACCCACTTCCTGTTCTGGA 941 R  V  E  I  W  H  G  G  S  W  G  T  V  C  D  D  S  W  D  L 2821 CGTGTGGAGATCTGGCACGGAGGTTCCTGGGGGACAGTGTGTGATGACTCCTGGGACTTG 961 N  D  A  Q  V  V  C  Q  Q  L  G  C  G  P  A  L  K  A  F  K 2881 AACGATGCTCAGGTGGTGTGTCAACAACTTGGCTGTGGTCCAGCTTTGAAAGCATTCAAA 981 E  A  E  F  G  Q  G  T  G  P  I  W  L  N  E  V  K  C  K  G 2941 GAAGCAGAGTTTGGTCAGGGGACTGGACCCATATGGCTCAATGAAGTGAAGTGCAAAGGG 1001 N  E  S  S  L  W  D  C  P  A  R  R  W  G  H  S  E  C  G  H 3001 AATGAGTCTTCCTTGTGGGATTGTCCTGCCAGACGCTGGGGCCACAGTGAGTGTGGACAC 1021 K  E  D  A  A  V  N  C  T  A  Q  K  I  S  T  H  K  T  P  Q 3061 AAGGAAGACGCTGCAGTGAATTGCACAGCACAAAAAATTTCAACGCACAAAACCCCACAA 1041 K  A  T  T  V  S  S  R  G  E  N  L  V  H  Q  I  Q  Y  R  E 3121 AAAGCCACAACAGTTTCCTCAAGAGGAGAGAACTTAGTCCACCAAATTCAATACCGGGAG 1061 M  N  S  C  L  N  A  D  D  L  D  L  M  N  S  S  G  G  H  S 3181 ATGAATTCTTGCCTGAATGCAGATGATCTGGACCTAATGAATTCCTCAGGAGGCCATTCT 1081 E  A  H  *  K  G  K  W  E  F  I  T  Q 3241 GAGGCACACTGAAAAGGAAAATGGGAATTTATAACCCAG 1 MSKLRMVLLE DSGSADVRRH FVNLSPFTIA VVLLLRACFV TSSLGGTTKE LRLVDGENKC SEQ ID 61 SGRVEVKIQE EWGTVCNNGW SMEAVSVICN QLGCPTAIKA TGWANSSAGS GRIWMDHVSC NO: 40 121 RGNESALWDC KHDGWGKHSN CTHQQDAGVT CSDGSDLEMR LTNGGNMCSG RIEIKFQGQW 181 GTVCDDNFNV NHASVVCKQL ECGSAVSFSG SANFGEGSGP IWFDDLICNG NESALWNCKH 241 QGWGKENCDH AEDAGVICSK GADLSLRLVD GVTECSGRLE VRFQGEWGTI CDDGWDSHDA 301 AVACKQLGCP TAITAIGRVN ASEGFGHIWL DSVSCQGHEP AVWQCKHHEW GKHYCNHNED 361 AGVTCSDGSD LELRLRGGGS RCAGTVEVEI QRLLGKVCDR GWGLKEADVV CRQLGCGSAL 421 KTSYQVYSKI QATNMWLFLS SCNGNETSLW DCKNWQWGGL TCDHYEEAKI TCSAHREPRL 481 VGGDIPCSGR VEVKHGDTWG SVCDSDFSLE AASVLCRELQ CGTVVSILGG AHFGEGNGQI 541 WAEEFQCEGH ESHLSLCPVA PRPEGTCSHS RDVGVVCSRY TEIRLVNGKT PCEGRVELKT 601 LNAWGSLCNS HWDIEDAHVL CQQLKCGVAL STPGGAHFGK GNGQVWRHMF HCTGTEQHMG 661 DCPVTALGAS LCPSGQVASV ICSGNQSQTL SSCNSSSLGP TRPTIPEESA VACIESGQLR 721 LVNGGGRCAG RVEIYHEGSW GTICDDSWDL SDAHVVCRQL GCGEAINATG SAHFGEGTGP 781 IWLDEMKCNG KESRIWQCHS HGWGQQNCRH KEDAGVICSE FMSLRLTSEA SREACAGRLE 841 VFYNGAWGSV GRSNMSETTV GVVCRQLGCA DKGKINSASL DKAMSIPMWV DNVQCPKGPD 901 TLWQCPSSPW EKRLARPSEE TWITCDNKMR LQEGPTSCSG RVEIWHGGSW GTVCDDSWDL 961 NDAQVVCQQL GCGPALKAFK EAEFGQGTGP IWLNEVKCKG NESSLWDCPA RRWGHSECGH 1021 KEDAAVNCTA QKISTHKTPQ KATTVSSRGE NLVHQIQYRE MNSCLNADDL DLMNSSGGHS 1081 EAH 1 M  S  K  L  R  M  V  L  L  E  D  S  G  S  A  D  V  R  R  H  SEQ ID NO: 1 ATGAGCAAACTCAGAATGGTGCTACTTGAAGACTCTGGATCTGCTGACGTCAGAAGACAT 41 and 42 21 F  V  N  L  S  P  F  T  I  A  V  V  L  L  L  R  A  C  F  V 61 TTTGTCAACTTGAGTCCCTTCATTATTGCTGTGGTCTTACTTCTCCGTGCCTGTTTTGTC 41 T  S  S  L  G  G  T  T  K  E  L  R  L  V  D  G  E  N  K  C 121 ACCAGTTCTCTTGGAGGAACAACCAAGGAGCTGAGGCTAGTGGATGGTGAAAACAAGTGT 61 S  G  R  V  E  V  K  I  Q  E  E  W  G  T  V  C  N  N  G  W 181 AGTGGGAGAGTGGAAGTGAAAATCCAGGAGGAGTGGGGAACGGTGTGTAATAATGGCTGG 81 S  M  E  A  V  S  V  I  C  N  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  K  A 241 AGCATGGAAGCAGTCTCTGTGATTTGTAACCAGCTGGGATGTCCAACTGCTATCAAAGCC 101 T  G  W  A  N  S  S  A  G  S  G  R  I  W  M  D  H  V  S  C 301 ACTGGATGGGCTAATTCCAGTGCAGGTTCTGGACGCATTTGGATGGATCATGTTTCTTGT 121 R  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  D  C  K  H  D  G  W  G  K  H  S  N 361 CGTGGGAATGAGTCAGCTCTTTGGGACTGCAAACATGATGGATGGGGAAAGCATAGTAAC 141 C  T  H  Q  Q  D  A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  M  R 421 TGTACTCACCAACAAGATGCTGGAGTGACTTGCTCAGATGGATCCGATTTGGAAATGAGG 161 L  T  N  G  G  N  M  C  S  G  R  I  E  I  K  F  Q  G  Q  W 481 CTGACGAATGGAGGGAATATGTGTTCTGGAAGAATAGAGATCAAATTCCAAGGACAGTGG 181 G  T  V  C  D  D  N  F  N  I  N  H  A  S  V  V  C  K  Q  L 541 GGAACAGTGTGTGATGATAACTTCAACATCAATCATGCATCTGTGGTTTGTAAACAACTT 201 E  C  G  S  A  V  S  F  S  G  S  A  N  F  G  E  G  S  G  P 601 GAATGTGGAAGTGCTGTCAGTTTCTCTGGTTCAGCTAATTTTGGAGAAGGCTCTGGACCA 221 I  W  F  D  D  L  I  C  N  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  N  C  K  H 661 ATCTGGTTTGATGATCTTATATGCAACGGAAATGAGTCAGCTCTCTGGAACTGCAAACAT 241 Q  G  W  G  K  H  N  C  D  H  A  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  K 721 CAAGGATGGGGAAAGCATAACTGTGATCATGCTGAGGATGCTGGAGTGATTTGCTCAAAG 261 G  A  D  L  S  L  R  L  V  D  G  V  T  E  C  S  G  R  L  E 781 GGAGCAGATCTGAGCCTGAGACTGGTAGATGGAGTCACTGAATGTTCAGGAAGATTAGAA 281 V  R  F  Q  G  E  W  G  T  I  C  D  D  G  W  D  S  H  D  A 841 GTGAGATTCCAAGGAGAATGGGGGACAATATGTGATGACGGCTGGGACAGTCATGATGCT 301 A  V  A  C  K  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  T  A  I  G  R  V  N 901 GCTGTGGCATGCAAGCAACTGGGATGTCCAACTGCTATCACCGCCATTGGTCGAGTTAAC 321 A  S  E  G  F  G  H  I  W  L  D  S  V  S  C  Q  G  H  E  P 961 GCCAGTGAGGGATTTGGACACATCTGGCTTGACAGTGTTTCTTGCCAGGGACATGAACCT 341 A  V  W  Q  C  K  H  H  E  W  G  K  H  Y  C  N  H  N  E  D 1021 GCGGTCTGGCAATGTAAACACCATGAATGGGGAAAGCATTATTGCAATCACAATGAAGAT 361 A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  L  R  L  R  G  G  G  S 1081 GCTGGCGTAACATGTTCTGATGGATCAGATCTGGAGCTAAGACTTAGAGGTGGAGGCAGC 381 R  C  A  G  T  V  E  V  E  I  Q  R  L  L  G  K  V  C  D  R 1141 CGCTGTGCTGGGACAGTTGAGGTGGAGATTCAGAGACTGTTAGGGAAGGTGTGtGACAGA 401 G  W  G  L  K  E  A  D  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  G  S  A  L 1201 GGCTGGGGACTGAAAGAAGCTGATGTGGTTTGCAGGCAGCTGGGATGTGGATCTGCACTC 421 K  T  S  Y  Q  V  Y  S  K  I  Q  A  T  N  M  W  L  F  L  S 1261 AAAACATCCTATCAAGTATACTCCAAAATCCAGGCAACAAACATGTGGCTGTTTCTAAGT 441 S  C  N  G  N  E  T  S  L  W  D  C  K  N  W  Q  W  G  G  L 1321 AGCTGTAACGGAAATGAAACTTCTCTTTGGGACTGCAAGAACTGGCAATGGGGTGGACTT 461 T  C  D  H  Y  E  E  A  K  I  T  C  S  A  H  R  E  P  R  L 1381 ACCTGTGATCACTATGAAGAAGCCAAAATTACCTGCTCAGCCCACAGGGAACCCAGACTG 481 V  G  G  D  I  P  C  S  G  R  V  E  V  K  H  G  D  T  W  G 1441 GTTGGAGGAGACATTCCCTGTTCTGGACGCGTTGAAGTGAAGCATGGTGACACATGGGGC 501 S  V  C  D  S  D  F  S  L  E  A  A  S  V  L  C  R  E  L  Q 1501 TCCGTCTGTGATTCGGATTTCTCTCTGGAAGCTGCCAGCGTTCTATGCAGGGAATTACAG 521 C  G  T  V  V  S  I  L  G  G  A  H  F  G  E  G  N  G  Q  I 1561 TGTGGCACAGTCGTCTCTATCCTGGGGGGAGCTCACTTTGGAGAGGGAAATGGACAGATC 541 W  A  E  E  F  Q  C  E  G  H  E  S  H  L  S  L  C  P  V  A 1621 TGGGCTGAAGAATTCCAGTGTGAGGGACATGAGTCCCATCTTTCACTCTGCCCAGTAGCA 561 P  R  P  E  G  T  C  S  H  S  R  D  V  G  V  V  C  S  R  Y 1681 CCCCGCCCAGAAGGAACTTGTAGCCACAGCAGGGATGTTGGAGTAGTCTGCTCAAGATAC 581 T  E  I  R  L  V  N  G  K  T  P  C  E  G  R  V  E  L  K  T 1741 ACAGAAATTCGCTTGGTGAATGGCAAGACCCCATGTGAGGGCAGAGTGGAGCTCAAAACG 601 L  N  A  W  G  S  L  C  N  S  H  W  D  I  E  D  A  H  V  L 1801 CTTAATGCCTGGGGATCCCTCTGCAACTCTCACTGGGACATAGAAGATGCCCACGTTCTT 621 C  Q  Q  L  K  C  G  V  A  L  S  T  P  G  G  A  H  F  G  K 1861 TGCCAACAACTTAAATGTGGAGTTGCCCTTTCTACCCCAGGAGGAGCACATTTTGGAAAA 641 G  N  G  Q  V  W  R  H  M  F  H  C  T  G  T  E  Q  H  M  G 1921 GGAAATGGTCAGGTCTGGAGGCATATGTTTCACTGCACTGGGACTGAGCAGCACATGGGA 661 D  C  P  V  T  A  L  G  A  S  L  C  P  S  G  Q  V  A  S  V 1981 GATTGTCCTGTAACTGCTCTGGGTGCTTCACTATGTCCTTCAGGGCAAGTGGCCTCTGTA 681 I  C  S  G  N  Q  S  Q  T  L  S  S  C  N  S  S  S  L  G  P 2041 ATTTGCTCAGGAAACCAGTCCCAAACACTGTCCTCGTGCAATTCATCATCTCTGGGCCCA 701 T  R  P  T  I  P  E  E  S  A  V  A  C  I  E  S  G  Q  L  R 2101 ACAAGGCCTACCATTCCAGAAGAAAGTGCTGTGGCCTGCATAGAGAGTGGTCAACTTCGC 721 L  V  N  G  G  G  R  C  A  G  R  V  E  I  Y  H  E  G  S  W 2161 TTGGTAAATGGAGGAGGTCGCTGTGCTGGGAGAGTAGAGATTTATCATGAGGGCTCCTGG 741 G  T  I  C  D  D  S  W  D  L  S  D  A  H  V  V  C  R  Q  L 2221 GGCACCATCTGTGATGACAGCTGGGACCTGAGCGATGCCCACGTGGTGTGCAGACAGCTG 761 G  C  G  E  A  I  N  A  T  G  S  A  H  F  G  E  G  T  G  P 2281 GGCTGTGGAGAGGCCATTAATGCCACTGGTTCTGCTCATTTTGGAGAAGGAACAGGGCCC 781 I  W  L  D  E  M  K  C  N  G  K  E  S  R  I  W  Q  C  H  S 2341 ATCTGGCTGGATGAGATGAAATGCAATGGAAAAGAATCCCGTATTTGGCAGTGCCATTCA 801 H  G  W  G  Q  Q  N  C  R  H  K  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  E 2401 CATGGCTGGGGGCAGCAAAACTGCAGGCACAAGGAGGATGCAGGAGTTATCTGCTCAGAG 821 F  M  S  L  R  L  T  S  E  A  S  R  E  A  C  A  G  R  L  E 2461 TTCATGTCTCTGAGACTGACCAGTGAAGCCAGCAGAGAGGCCTGTGCAGGGCGTCTAGAA 841 V  F  Y  N  G  A  W  G  S  V  G  R  S  N  M  S  E  T  T  V 2521 GTTTTTTACAACGGAGCTTGGGGCAGTGTTGGCAGGAGTAACATGTCTGAAACCACTGTG 861 G  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  A  D  K  G  K  I  N  S  A  S  L 2581 GGTGTGGTGTGCAGGCAGCTGGGCTGTGCAGACAAAGGGAAAATCAACTCTGCATCTTTA 881 D  K  A  M  S  I  P  M  W  V  D  N  V  Q  C  P  K  G  P  D 2641 GACAAGGCCATGTCCATTCCCATGTGGGTGGACAATGTTCAGTGTCCAAAAGGACCTGAC 901 T  L  W  Q  C  P  S  S  P  W  E  K  R  L  A  R  P  S  E  E 2701 ACGCTGTGGCAGTGCCCATCATCTCCATGGGAGAAGAGACTGGCCAGGCCCTCGGAGGAG 921 T  W  I  T  C  D  N  K  M  R  L  Q  E  G  P  T  S  C  S  G 2761 ACCTGGATCACATGTGACAACAAGATGAGACTACAAGAAGGACCCACTTCCTGTTCTGGA 941 R  V  E  I  W  H  G  G  S  W  G  T  V  C  D  D  S  W  D  L 2821 CGTGTGGAGATCTGGCACGGAGGTTCCTGGGGGACAGTGTGTGATGACTCCTGGGACTTG 961 N  D  A  Q  V  V  C  Q  Q  L  G  C  G  P  A  L  K  A  F  K 2881 AACGATGCTCAGGTGGTGTGTCAACAACTTGGCTGTGGTCCAGCTTTGAAAGCATTCAAA 981 E  A  E  F  G  Q  G  T  G  P  I  W  L  N  E  V  K  C  K  G 2941 GAAGCAGAGTTTGGTCAGGGGACTGGACCCATATGGCTCAATGAAGTGAAGTGCAAAGGG 1001 N  E  S  S  L  W  D  C  P  A  R  R  W  G  H  S  E  C  G  H 3001 AATGAGTCTTCCTTGTGGGATTGTCCTGCCAGACGCTGGGGCCACAGTGAGTGTGGACAC 1021 K  E  D  A  A  V  N  C  T  A  Q  K  I  S  T  H  K  T  P  Q 3061 AAGGAAGACGCTGCAGTGAATTGCACAGCACAAAAAATTTCAACGCACAAAACCCCACAA 1041 K  A  T  T  G  R  S  F  L  I  A  F  G  I  L  G  V  V  L  L 3121 AAAGCCACAACAGGTCGGTCATTCCTTATTGCATTCGGAATCCTTGGAGTTGTTCTCTTG 1061 A  I  F  V  A  L  F  L  T  Q  K  R  R  Q  R  Q  R  L  T  V 3181 GCCATTTTCGTCGCATTATTCTTGACTCAAAAGCGAAGACAGAGACAGCGGCTTACAGTT 1081 S  S  R  G  E  N  L  V  H  Q  I  Q  Y  R  E  M  N  S  C  L 3241 TCCTCAAGAGGAGAGAACTTAGTCCACCAAATTCAATACCGGGAGATGAATTCTTGCCTG 1101 N  A  D  D  L  D  L  M  N  S  S  G  G  H  S  E  A  H 3301 AATGCAGATGATCTGGACCTAATGAATTCCTCAGGAGGCCATTCTGAGGCACAC 1 MSKLRMVLLE DSGSADVRRH FVNLSPFTIA VVLLLRACFV TSSLGGTTKE LRLVDGENKC SEQ ID 61 SGRVEVKIQE EWGTVCNNGW SMEAVSVICN QLGCPTAIKA TGWANSSAGS GRIWMDHVSC NO: 42 121 RGNESALWDC KHDGWGKHSN CTHQQDAGVT CSDGSDLEMR LTNGGNMCSG RIEIKFQGQW 181 GTVCDDNFNI NHASVVCKQL ECGSAVSFSG SANFGEGSGP IWFDDLICNG NESALWNCKH 241 QGWGKHNCDH AEDAGVICSK GADLSLRLVD GVTECSGRLE VRFQGEWGTI CDDGWDSHDA 301 AVACKQLGCP TAITAIGRVN ASEGFGHIWL DSVSCQGHEP AVWQCKHHEW GKHYCNHNED 361 AGVTCSDGSD LELRLRGGGS RCAGTVEVEI QRLLGKVCDR GWGLKEADVV CRQLGCGSAL 421 KTSYQVYSKI QATNMWLFLS SCNGNETSLW DCKNWQWGGL TCDHYEEAKI TCSAHREPRL 481 VGGDIPCSGR VEVKHGDTWG SVCDSDFSLE AASVLCRELQ CGTVVSILGG AHFGEGNGQI 541 WAEEFQCEGH ESHLSLCPVA PRPEGTCSHS RDVGVVCSRY TEIRLVNGKT PCEGRVELKT 601 LNAWGSLCNS HWDIEDAHVL CQQLKCGVAL STPGGAHFGK GNGQVWRHMF HCTGTEQHMG 661 DCPVTALGAS LCPSGQVASV ICSGNQSQTL SSCNSSSLGP TRPTIPEESA VACIESGQLR 721 LVNGGGRCAG RVEIYHEGSW GTICDDSWDL SDAHVVCRQL GCGEAINATG SAHFGEGTGP 781 IWLDEMKCNG KESRIWQCHS HGWGOQNCRH KEDAGVICSE FMSLRLTSEA SREACAGRLE 841 VFYNGAWGSV GRSNMSETTV GVVCRQLGCA DKGKINSASL DKAMSIPMWV DNVQCPKGPD 901 TLWQCPSSPW EKRLARPSEE TWITCDNKMR LQEGPTSCSG RVEIWHGGSW GTVCDDSWDL 961 NDAQVVCQQL GCGPALKAFK EAEFGQGTGP IWLNEVKCKG NESSLWDCPA RRWGHSECGH 1021 KEDAAVNCTA QKISTHKTPQ KATTGRSFLI AFGILGVVLL AIFVALFLTQ KRRQRQRLTV 1081 SSRGENLVHQ IQYREMNSCL NADDLDLMNS SGGHSEAH 1 M  S  K  L  R  M  V  L  L  E  D  S  G  S  A  D  V  R  R  H SEQ ID NO: 1 ATGAGCAAACTCAGAATGGTGCTACTTGAAGACTCTGGATCTGCTGACGTCAGAAGACAT 43 and 44 21 F  V  N  L  S  P  F  T  I  A  V  V  L  L  L  R  A  C  F  V 61 TTTGTCAACTTGAGTCCCTTCACTATTGCTGTGGTCTTACTTCTCCGTGCCTGTTTTGTC 41 T  S  S  L  G  G  T  T  K  E  L  R  L  V  D  G  E  N  K  C 121 ACCAGTTCTCTTGGAGGAACAACCAAGGAGCTGAGGCTAGTGGATGGTGAAAACAAGTGT 61 S  G  R  V  E  V  K  I  Q  E  E  W  G  T  V  C  N  N  G  W 181 AGTGGGAGAGTGGAAGTGAAAATCCAGGAGGAGTGGGGAACGGTGTGTAATAATGGCTGG 81 S  M  E  A  V  S  V  I  C  N  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  K  A 241 AGCATGGAAGCAGTCTCTGTGATTTGTAACCAGCTGGGATGTCCAACTGCTATCAAAGCC 101 T  G  W  A  N  S  S  A  G  S  G  R  I  W  M  D  H  V  S  C 301 ACTGGATGGGCTAATTCCAGTGCAGGTTCTGGACGCATTTGGATGGATCATGTTTCTTGT 121 R  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  D  C  K  H  D  G  W  G  K  H  S  N 361 CGTGGGAATGAGTCAGCTCTTTGGGACTGCAAACATGATGGATGGGGAAAGCATAGTAAC 141 C  T  H  Q  Q  D  A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  M  R 421 TGTACTCACCAACAAGATGCTGGAGTGACTTGCTCAGATGGATCCGATTTGGAAATGAGG 161 L  T  N  G  G  N  M  C  S  G  R  I  E  I  K  F  Q  G  Q  W 481 CTGACGAATGGAGGGAATATGTGTTCTGGAAGAATAGAGATCAAATTCCAAGGACAGTGG 181 G  T  V  C  D  D  N  F  N  I  N  H  A  S  V  V  C  K  Q  L 541 GGAACAGTGTGTGATGATAACTTCAACATCAATCATGCATCTGTGGTTTGTAAACAACTT 201 E  C  G  S  A  V  S  F  S  G  S  A  N  F  G  E  G  S  G  P 601 GAATGTGGAAGTGCTGTCAGTTTCTCTGGTTCAGCTAATTTTGGAGAAGGCTCTGGACCA 221 I  W  F  D  D  L  I  C  N  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  N  C  K  H 661 ATCTGGTTTGATGATCTTATATGCAACGGAAATGAGTCAGCTCTCTGGAACTGCAAACAT 241 Q  G  W  G  K  H  N  C  D  H  A  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  K 721 CAAGGATGGGGAAAGCATAACTGTGATCATGCTGAGGATGCTGGAGTGATTTGCTCAAAG 261 G  A  D  L  S  L  R  L  V  D  G  V  T  E  C  S  G  R  L  E 781 GGAGCAGATCTGAGCCTGAGACTGGTAGATGGAGTCACTGAATGTTCAGGAAGATTAGAA 281 V  R  F  Q  G  E  W  G  T  I  C  D  D  G  W  D  S  H  D  A 841 GTGAGATTCCAAGGAGAATGGGGGACAATATGTGATGACGGCTGGGACAGTCATGATGCT 301 A  V  A  C  K  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  T  A  I  G  R  V  N 901 GCTGTGGCATGCAAGCAACTGGGATGTCCAACTGCTATCACCGCCATTGGTCGAGTTAAC 321 A  S  E  G  F  G  H  I  W  L  D  S  V  S  C  Q  G  H  E  P 961 GCCAGTGAGGGATTTGGACACATCTGGCTTGACAGTGTTTCTTGCCAGGGACATGAACCT 341 A  V  W  Q  C  K  H  H  E  W  G  K  H  Y  C  N  H  N  E  D 1021 GCGGTCTGGCAATGTAAACACCATGAATGGGGAAAGCATTATTGCAATCACAATGAAGAT 361 A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  L  R  L  R  G  G  G  S 1081 GCTGGCGTAACATGTTCTGATGGATCAGATCTGGAGCTAAGACTTAGAGGTGGAGGCAGC 381 R  C  A  G  T  V  E  V  E  I  Q  R  L  L  G  K  V  C  D  R 1141 CGCTGTGCTGGGACAGTTGAGGTGGAGATTCAGAGACTGTTAGGGAAGGTGTGTGACAGA 401 G  W  G  L  K  E  A  D  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  G  S  A  L 1201 GGCTGGGGACTGAAAGAAGCTGATGTGGTTTGCAGGCAGCTGGGATGTGGATCTGCACTC 421 K  T  S  Y  Q  V  Y  S  K  I  Q  A  T  N  M  W  L  F  L  S 1261 AAAACATCCTATCAAGTATACTCCAAAATCCAGGCAACAAACATGTGGCTGTTTCTAAGT 441 S  C  N  G  N  E  T  S  L  W  D  C  K  N  W  Q  W  G  G  L 1321 AGCTGTAACGGAAATGAAACTTCTCTTTGGGACTGCAAGAACTGGCAATGGGGTGGACTT 461 T  C  D  H  Y  E  E  A  K  I  T  C  S  A  H  R  E  P  R  L 1381 ACCTGTGATCACTATGAAGAAGCCAAAATTACCTGCTCAGCCCACAGGGAACCCAGACTG 481 V  G  G  D  I  P  C  S  G  R  V  E  V  K  H  G  D  T  W  G 1441 GTTGGAGGAGACATTCCCTGTTCTGGACGCGTTGAAGTGAAGCATGGTGACACATGGGGC 501 S  V  C  D  S  D  F  S  L  E  A  A  S  V  L  C  R  E  L  Q 1501 TCCGTCTGTGATTCGGATTTCTCTCTGGAAGCTGCCAGCGTTCTATGCAGGGAATTACAG 521 C  G  T  V  V  S  I  L  G  G  A  H  F  G  E  G  N  G  Q  I 1561 TGTGGCACAGTCGTCTCTATCCTGGGGGGAGCTCACTTTGGAGAGGGAAATGGACAGATC 541 W  A  E  E  F  Q  C  E  G  H  E  S  H  L  S  L  C  P  V  A 1621 TGGGCTGAAGAATTCCAGTGTGAGGGACATGAGTCCCATCTTTCACTCTGCCCAGTAGCA 561 P  R  P  E  G  T  C  S  H  S  R  D  V  G  V  V  C  S  R  Y 1681 CCCCGCCCAGAAGGAACTTGTAGCCACAGCAGGGATGTTGGAGTAGTCTGCTCAAGATAC 581 T  E  I  R  L  V  N  G  K  T  P  C  E  G  R  V  E  L  K  T 1741 ACAGAAATTCGCTTGGTGAATGGCAAGACCCCATGTGAGGGCAGAGTGGAGCTCAAAACG 601 L  N  A  W  G  S  L  C  N  S  H  W  D  I  E  D  A  H  V  L 1801 CTTAATGCCTGGGGATCCCTCTGCAACTCTCACTGGGACATAGAAGATGCCCACGTTCTT 621 C  Q  Q  L  K  C  G  V  A  L  S  T  P  G  G  A  H  F  G  K 1861 TGCCAACAACTTAAATGTGGAGTTGCCCTTTCTACCCCAGGAGGAGCACATTTTGGAAAA 641 G  N  G  Q  V  W  R  H  M  F  H  C  T  G  T  E  Q  H  M  G 1921 GGAAATGGTCAGGTCTGGAGGCATATGTTTCACTGCACTGGGACTGAGCAGCACATGGGA 661 D  C  P  V  T  A  L  G  A  S  L  C  P  S  G  Q  V  A  S  V 1981 GATTGTCCTGTAACTGCTCTGGGTGCTTCACTATGTCCTTCAGGGCAAGTGGCCTCTGTA 681 I  C  S  G  N  Q  S  Q  T  L  S  S  C  N  S  S  S  L  G  P 2041 ATTTGCTCAGGAAACCAGTCCCAAACACTGTCCTCGTGCAATTCATCATCTCTGGGCCCA 701 T  R  P  T  I  P  E  E  S  A  V  A  C  I  E  S  G  Q  L  R 2101 ACAAGGCCTACCATTCCAGAAGAAAGTGCTGTGOCCTGCATAGAGAGTGGTCAACTTCGC 721 L  V  N  G  G  G  R  C  A  G  R  V  E  I  Y  H  R  G  S  W 2161 TTGGTAAATGGAGGAGGTCGCTGTGCTGGGAGAGTAGAGATTTATCATGAGGGCTCCTGG 741 G  T  I  C  D  D  S  W  D  L  S  D  A  H  V  V  C  R  Q  L 2221 GGCACCATCTGTGATGACAGCTGGGACCTGAGCGATGCCCACGTGGTGTGCAGACAGCTG 761 G  C  G  R  A  I  N  A  T  G  S  A  H  F  G  E  G  T  G  P 2281 GGCTGTOGAGAGGCCATTAATGCCACTGGTTCTGCTCATTTTGGAGAAGGAACAGCGCCC 781 I  W  L  D  E  M  K  C  N  G  K  E  S  R  I  W  Q  C  H  S 2341 ATCTGGCTGGATGAGATGAAATGCAATGGAAAAGAATCCCGTATTTGGCAGTGCCATTCA 801 H  G  W  G  Q  Q  N  C  R  H  K  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  E 2401 CATGGCTGGGGGCAGCAAAACTGCAGGCACAAGGAGGATGCAGGAGTTATCTGCTCAGAG 821 F  M  S  L  R  L  T  S  E  A  S  R  E  A  C  A  G  R  L  E 2461 TTCATGTCTCTGAGACTGACCAGTGAAGCCAGGAGAGAGGCCTGTGCAGGGCGTCTAGAA 841 V  F  Y  N  G  A  W  G  S  V  G  A  S  N  M  S  E  T  T  V 2521 GTTTTTTACAACGGAGCTTGGGGCAGTGTTGGCAGGAGTAACATGTCTGAAACCACTGTG 861 G  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  A  D  K  G  K  I  N  S  A  S  L 2581 GGTGTGGTGTGCAGGCAGCTGGGCTGTGCAGACAAAGGGAAAATCAACTCTGCATCTTTA 881 D  K  A  M  S  I  P  M  W  V  D  N  V  Q  C  P  K  G  P  D 2641 GACAAGGCCATGTCCATTCCCATGTGGGTGGACAATGTTCAGTGTCCAAAAGGACCTGAC 901 T  L  W  Q  C  P  S  S  P  W  E  K  R  L  A  R  P  S  E  E 2701 ACGCTGTGGCAGTGCCCATCATCTCCATGGGAGAAGAGACTGGCCAGGCCCTCGGAGGAG 921 T  W  I  T  C  D  N  K  M  R  L  Q  E  G  P  T  S  C  S  G 2761 ACCTGGATCACATGTGACAACAAGATGAGACTACAAGAAGGACCCACTTCCTGTTCTGGA 941 R  V  E  I  W  H  G  G  S  W  G  T  V  C  D  D  S  W  D  L 2821 CGTGTGGAGATCTGGCACGGAGGTTCCTGGGGGACAGTGTGTGATGACTCCTGGGACTTG 961 N  D  A  Q  V  V  C  Q  Q  L  G  C  G  P  A  L  K  A  F  K 2881 AACGATGCTCAGGTGGTGTGTCAACAACTTGGCTGTGGTCCAGCTTTGAAAGCATTCAAA 981 E  A  E  F  G  Q  G  T  G  P  I  W  L  N  E  V  K  C  K  G 2941 GAAGCAGAGTTTGGTCAGGGGACTGGACCCATATGGCTCAATGAAGTGAAGTGCAAAGGG 1001 N  E  S  S  L  W  D  C  P  A  R  R  W  G  H  S  E  C  G  H 3001 AATGAGTCTTCCTTGTGGGATTGTCCTGCCAGACGCTGGGGCCACAGTGAGTGTGGACAC 1021 K  E  D  A  A  V  N  C  T  A  Q  K  I  S  T  H  K  T  P  Q 3061 AAGGAAGACGCTGCAGTGAATTGCACAGCACAAAAAATTTCAACGCACAAAACCCCACAA 1041 K  A  T  T  G  Q  S  F  L  I  A  F  G  I  L  G  V  V  L  L 3121 AAAGCCACAACAGGTCAGTCATTCCTTATTGCATTCGGAATCCTTGGAGTTGTTCTCTTG 1061 A  I  F  V  A  L  F  L  T  Q  K  R  R  Q  R  Q  R  L  T  V 3181 GCCATTTTCGTCGCATTATTCTTGACTCAAAAGCGAAGACAGAGACAGCGGCTTACAGTT 1081 S  S  R  G  E  N  L  V  H  Q  I  Q  Y  R  E  M  N  S  C  L 3241 TCCTCAAGAGGAGAGAACTTAGTCCACCAAATTCAATACCGGGAGATGAATTCTTGCCTG 1101 N  A  D  D  L  D  L  M  N  S  S  E  N  S  N  E  S  A  D  F 3301 AATGCAGATGATCTGGACCTAATGAATTCCTCAGAAAATTCCAATGAGTCAGCTGATTTC 1121 N  A  A  E  L  I  S  V  S  K  F  L  P  I  S  G  M  E  K  E 3361 AATGCTGCTGAACTAATTTCTGTGTCTAAATTTCTTCCTATTTCTGGAATGGAAAAGGAG 1141 A  I  L  R  H  T  E  K  E  N  G  N  L 3421 GCCATTCTGAGGCACACTGAAAAGGAAAATGGGAATTTA 1 MSKLRMVLLE DSGSADVRRH FVNLSPFTIA VVLLLRACFV TSSLGGTTKE LRLVDGENKC SEQ ID 61 SGRVEVKIQE EWGTVCNNGW SMEAVSVICN QLGCPTAIKA TGWANSSAGS GRIWMDHVSC NO: 44 121 RGNESALWDC KEDGWGKESN CTHQQDAGVT CSDGSDLEMR LTNGGNMCSG RIEIKFQGQW 181 GTVCDDNFNI NHASVVCKQL ECGSAVSFSG SANFGEGSGP IWFDDLICNG NESALWNCKH 241 QGWGKHNCDH AEDAGVICSK GADLSLRLVD GVTECSGRLE VRFQGEWGTI CDDGWDSHDA 301 AVACKQLGCP TAITAIGRVN ASEGFGHIWL DSVSCQGHEP AVWQCKHHEW GKHYCNHNED 361 AGVTCSDGSD LELRLRGGGS RCAGTVEVEI QRLLGKVCDR GWGLKEADVV CRQLGCGSAL 421 KTSYQVYSKI QATNMWLFLS SCNGNETSLW DCKNWQWGGL TCDHYEEAKI TCSAHREPRL 481 VGGDIPCSGR VEVYHGDTWG SVCDSDFSLE AASVLCRELQ CGTVVSILGG AHFGEGNGQI 541 WAEEFQCEGH ESHLSLCPVA PRPEGTCSHS RDVGVVCSRY TEIRLVNGKT PCEGRVELKT 601 LNAWGSLCNS HWDIEDAHVL CQQLKCGVAL STPGGAHFGK GNGQVWRHMF HCTGTEQHMG 661 DCPVTALGAS LCPSGQVASV ICSGNQSQTL SSCNSSSLGP TRPTIPEESA VACIESGQLR 721 LVNGGGRCAG RVEIYHEGSW GTICDDSWDL SDAHVVCRQL GCGEAINATG SAHFGEGTGP 781 IWLDEMKCNG KESRIWQCHS HGWGQQNCRH KEDAGVICSE FMSLRLTSEA SREACAGRLE 841 VFYNGAWGSV GRSNMSETTV GVVCRQLGCA DKGKINSASL DKAMSIPMWV DNVQCPKGPD 901 TLWQCPSSPW EKRLARPSEE TWITCDNKMR LQEGPTSCSG RVEIWHGGSW GTVCDDSWDL 961 NDAQVVCQQL GCGPALKAFK EAEFGQGTGP IWLNEVKCKG NESSLWDCPA RRWGHSECGH 1021 KEDAAVNCTA QKISTHKTPQ KATTGQSFLI AFGILGVVLL AIFVALFLTQ KRRQRQRLTV 1081 SSRGENLVHQ IQYREMNSCL NADDLDLMNS SENSNESADF NAAELISVSK FLPISGMEKE 1141 AILRHTEKEN GNL

Example 10 Cloning and Characterization of Canine CD163 from DH82 Cells

A forward primer 5′ simianCD163 (SEQ ID NO: 28) (5′-CACCGGAATGAGCAAACTCAGAATGG-3′ based on human CD163) and a reverse primer HuCD163-3′Kpn (SEQ ID NO: 29) (5′-GCTCCGGTACCTAGTCCAGGTCTTCA TCAAGGTATCTTA-3′) were used to amplify CD163 cDNA from DH82 cells. Total cellular RNA was prepared from DH82 cells using the RNeasy kit. RT-PCR parameters were the same as described in Example 4. RT-PCR products were cloned directionally into the pcDNA3.1D/V5/His/TOPO vector according to the manufacturer's instruction. Several clones containing large inserts were analyzed. Several clones with large inserts were analyzed, and these fell into either the v2 or v3 splicing patterns seen in other species. The v2 variant is missing an 81-nucleotide exon (E81) relative to the v3 variant, which results in a reading frame shift and alternative carboxy terminal amino acid sequences. The canine CD163v2 cDNA from DH82 cells encodes a peptide of 1115 amino acids. When compared to the sequences in Genbank database, it is 83.9% identical to human CD163 (Genbank Z22968), 85.1% identical to pig CD163 (Genbank AJ311716), and 74.3% identical to mouse CD163 (Genbank AF274883). The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the two splice variants found in DH82 cells are provided below (SEQ ID NOS: 45-48).

SEQUENCE ID NO 1 M  S  K  L  R  M  V  P  H  G  N  S  G  S  A  D  F  R  R  C SEQ ID NO: 1 ATGAGCAAACTCAGAATGGTCCCACATGGAAACTCTGGATCTGCTGACTTTAGAAGATGT 45 and 46 21 F  A  L  L  C  P  S  A  V  A  V  V  S  I  L  S  T  C  L  M 61 TTTGCCCTCTTGTGTCCCTCTGCTGTGGCTGTGGTCTCCATTCTCAGTACCTGTTTGATG 41 T  N  S  L  G  R  A  D  K  E  M  R  L  T  D  G  E  D  N  C 121 ACCAATTCTCTTGGGAGAGCAGATAAAGAGATGAGGCTAACGGATGGTGAAGACAATTGC 61 S  G  R  V  E  V  K  V  Q  E  E  W  G  T  V  C  N  N  G  W 181 TCCGGGAGAGTGGAAGTGAAAGTCCAGGAGGAGTGGGGAACGGTGTGTAATAATGGCTGG 81 G  M  D  E  V  S  V  I  C  R  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  K  A 241 GGCATGGATGAAGTCTCTGTGATTTGCAGGCAGCTGGGATGTCCCACTGCTATCAAAGCC 101 A  G  W  A  N  S  R  A  G  S  G  R  I  W  M  D  H  V  S  C 301 GCTGGATGGGCCAATTCCAGGGCAGGCTCTGGACGAATCTGGATGGATCATGTTTCTTGT 121 R  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  D  C  K  H  D  G  W  G  K  H  N  C 361 CGAGGGAATGAATCTGCTCTCTGGGACTGCAAACATGATGGATGGGGAAAGCACAACTGC 141 S  H  Q  Q  D  A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  S  L  E  M  R  L 421 AGTCATCAACAGGATGCTGGAGTAACCTGTTCAGATGGATCCAGTTTGGAGATGAGGTTG 161 M  N  G  G  N  Q  C  S  G  R  I  E  V  K  F  Q  G  Q  W  G 481 ATGAACGGCGGAAACCAGTGTTCTGGCAGAATAGAAGTCAAGTTCCAGGGACAGTGGGGA 181 T  V  C  D  D  N  F  N  I  D  H  A  S  V  V  C  K  Q  L  E 541 ACAGTGTGTGATGACAACTTCAACATAGATCATGCTTCTGTGGTTTGTAAACAGCTCGAA 201 C  G  S  A  V  S  F  S  G  S  A  N  F  G  E  G  S  G  P  I 601 TGTGGAAGTGCTGTCAGTTTCTCTGGTTCAGCTAATTTTGGAGAAGGTTCTGGGCCAATC 221 W  F  D  D  L  V  C  S  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  N  C  K  H  E 661 TGGTTTGATGATCTTGTGTGCAGTGGAAATGAGTCAGCTCTCTGGAACTGCAAGCATGAA 241 G  W  G  K  H  N  C  D  H  A  E  D  V  G  V  I  C  L  D  G 721 GGATGGGGAAAGCATAACTGTGATCACGCTGAGGATGTTGGAGTGATTTGCTTGGATGGA 261 A  D  L  S  L  R  L  V  D  G  V  T  E  C  S  G  R  L  E  V 781 GCAGATCTGAGCCTGAGACTGGTAGATGGAGTCACTGAATGTTCAGGAAGATTAGAAGTA 281 K  F  Q  G  E  W  G  T  V  C  D  D  G  W  D  S  N  D  A  A 841 AAATTCCAAGGGGAATGGGGGACAGTGTGTGATGATGGCTGGGATAGTAATGATGCTGCT 301 V  V  C  K  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  V  T  A  I  G  R  V  N  A 901 GTGGTATGTAAACAACTGGGATGCCCAACTGCTGTCACCGCCATTGGTCGAGTTAACGCC 321 S  E  G  S  G  H  I  W  L  D  N  L  S  C  Q  G  D  E  S  A 961 AGTGAGGGAAGTGGACACATTTGGCTTGACAATCTTTCCTGCCAAGGAGACGAATCTGCT 341 L  W  Q  C  R  H  H  E  W  G  K  H  Y  C  N  H  N  E  D  A 1021 CTCTGGCAGTGTAGACACCATGAATGGGGAAAGCATTATTGCAATCATAATGAAGATGCT 361 G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  L  R  L  V  G  G  G  S  R 1081 GGTGTGACATGTTCTGATGGATCAGACCTGGAGCTGAGACTTGTCGGTGGAGGCAGCCGC 381 C  A  G  T  V  E  V  E  I  Q  K  L  L  G  K  V  C  D  R  G 1141 TGTGCTGGGACAGTGGAGGTTGAAATTCAGAAACTGCTAGGGAAAGTATGTGATAGAGGC 401 W  G  L  K  E  A  D  V  V  C  K  Q  L  G  C  G  S  A  L  K 1201 TGGGGACTGAAAGAAGCCGATGTGGTTTGCAAGCAGTTGGGATGTGGATCTGCTCTCAAA 421 T  S  Y  Q  R  Y  S  K  V  K  A  T  N  T  W  L  F  L  S  R 1261 ACGTCCTATCAGCGTTATTCCAAAGTTAAGGCAACAAACACATGGCTGTTTTTAAGCCGC 441 C  S  G  N  E  T  S  L  W  D  C  K  N  W  Q  W  G  G  L  S 1321 TGTAGTGGCAATGAAACTTCCCTTTGGGACTGCAAGAACTGGCAGTGGGGTGGACTGAGC 461 C  D  H  Y  E  E  A  K  V  T  C  S  A  H  R  E  P  R  L  V 1381 TGTGATCACTATGAAGAAGCTAAAGTTACCTGCTCAGCCCACAGGGAACCCAGACTAGTT 481 G  G  D  I  P  C  S  G  R  V  E  V  K  H  G  D  T  W  G  T 1441 GGAGGAGATATTCCCTGCTCTGGTCGTGTTGAAGTGAAACATGGTGACACATGGGGCACC 501 V  C  D  S  D  F  S  L  E  A  A  S  V  L  C  R  E  L  Q  C 1501 GTCTGTGATTCCGACTTCTCTTTGGAAGCTGCCAGTGTGCTGTGCAGAGAGTTACAGTGT 521 G  T  V  I  S  I  L  G  G  A  H  F  G  E  G  N  G  Q  I  W 1561 GGCACAGTCATCTCCATCCTAGGGGGAGCTCACTTTGGAGAAGGAAATGGACAGATCTGG 541 A  E  E  F  Q  C  E  G  Q  E  S  H  L  S  L  C  S  V  A  S 1621 GCTGAAGAATTCCAGTGTGAGGGGCAGGAGTCCCATCTTTCACTCTGTTCAGTAGCCTCT 561 R  P  D  G  T  C  S  H  S  R  D  V  G  V  V  C  S  R  Y  T 1681 CGCCCAGATGGGACCTGTAGCCACAGCAGGGATGTTGGAGTCGTCTGCTCAAGATACACG 581 E  I  R  L  V  N  G  Q  S  P  C  E  G  R  V  E  L  K  I  L 1741 GAAATCCGCTTGGTGAATGGCCAGTCCCCGTGTGAAGGAAGAGTGGAGCTCAAGATACTT 601 G  N  W  G  S  L  C  N  S  H  W  D  I  E  D  A  H  V  F  C 1801 GGGAACTGGGGATCCCTCTGCAACTCTCACTGGGACATAGAAGATGCCCATGTTTTCTGT 621 Q  Q  L  K  C  G  V  A  L  S  I  P  G  G  A  H  F  G  K  G 1861 CAGCAGCTCAAATGTGGAGTTGCCCTTTCTATTCCGGGAGGAGCACATTTTGGGAAAGGA 641 S  G  Q  I  W  R  H  M  F  H  C  T  G  T  E  Q  H  M  G  D 1921 AGTGGTCAGATCTGGAGGCACATGTTTCACTGCACTGGGACTGAGCAGCACATGGGAGAT 661 C  P  V  T  A  L  G  A  T  L  C  S  A  G  Q  V  A  S  V  I 1981 TGCCCTGTAACTGCTCTGGGCGCGACGCTGTGTTCTGCTGGGCAAGTGGCCTCTGTAATC 681 C  S  G  N  Q  S  Q  T  L  S  P  C  N  S  T  S  L  D  P  T 2041 TGCTCAGGAAATCAGAGCCAGACGCTATCCCCATGCAATTCAACATCTCTGGACCCAACA 701 R  S  T  T  S  E  E  S  A  V  A  C  I  A  S  G  Q  L  R  L 2101 AGATCTACCACTTCGGAAGAAAGTGCTGTTGCTTGTATTGCGAGTGGGCAACTTCGCCTG 721 V  N  G  G  G  R  C  A  G  R  I  E  V  Y  H  E  G  S  W  G 2161 GTAAATGGAGGCGGTCGCTGTGCTGGGAGAATAGAGGTCTACCATGAGGGCTCCTGGGGC 741 T  I  C  D  D  S  W  D  L  S  D  A  H  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G 2221 ACCATCTGTGATGACAGCTGGGACCTGAGTGATGCCCATGTGGTGTGCAGACAGCTGGGC 761 C  G  V  A  I  N  A  T  G  S  A  H  F  G  E  G  T  G  P  I 2281 TGTGGAGTGGCCATTAATGCCACTGGCTCTGCTCATTTTGGGGAAGGAACAGGGCCCATC 781 W  L  D  E  V  N  C  N  G  K  E  S  H  I  W  Q  C  R  S  H 2341 TGGCTGGACGAGGTGAACTGTAATGGAAAGGAATCTCATATCTGGCAATGCCGCTCACAC 801 G  W  G  Q  H  N  C  R  H  K  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  E  F 2401 GGCTGGGGGCAACACAACTGCAGACATAAGGAGGATGCAGGAGTTATCTGCTCAGAGTTC 821 M  S  L  R  L  I  D  E  T  S  R  D  I  C  A  G  R  L  E  V 2461 ATGTCTCTCAGACTGATTGATGAAACCAGCAGAGACATCTGTGCAGGGCGTCTTGAAGTT 841 F  Y  N  G  A  W  G  S  V  G  K  S  N  M  S  A  T  T  V  E 2521 TTTTACAATGGAGCTTGGGGCAGCGTTGGCAAGAGTAATATGTCTGCAACCACTGTGGAG 861 V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  A  D  K  G  S  I  N  P  A  S  S  D 2581 GTGGTATGCAGGCAACTGGGTTGTGCAGACAAGGGGAGCATCAACCCTGCATCTTCAGAC 881 K  P  M  S  R  H  M  W  V  D  N  V  Q  C  P  K  G  P  D  T 2641 AAGCCCATGTCCAGGCACATGTGGGTGGACAATGTCCAGTGTCCAAAAGGACCTGACACC 901 L  W  Q  C  P  S  S  P  W  K  Q  R  V  A  S  S  S  E  E  T 2701 TTATGGCAGTGCCCATCTTCTCCATGGAAACAGAGAGTGGCCAGTTCTTCAGAGGAGACC 921 W  I  T  C  A  N  K  I  R  L  Q  E  G  T  S  N  C  S  G  R 2761 TGGATCACATGTGCCAACAAGATAAGACTTCAAGAAGGAACCTCTAATTGTTCTGGACGT 941 V  E  L  W  H  G  G  S  W  G  T  V  C  D  S  S  H  D  L  E 2821 GTGGAGCTCTGGCACGGAGGTTCCTGGGGGACAGTGTGCGATGACTCCTGGGACCTTGAA 961 D  A  Q  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  G  P  A  L  E  A  L  K  E 2881 GATGCACAAGTGGTGTGTCGACAGCTGGGCTGTGGCCCAGCATTAGAAGCACTAAAAGAG 981 A  A  F  G  Q  G  T  G  P  I  W  L  N  D  V  K  C  K  G  N 2941 GCAGCATTTGGTCAGGGGACTGGGCCTATATGGCTCAATGACGTGAAGTGCAAAGGGAAT 1001 E  S  S  L  W  D  C  P  A  R  P  W  G  H  S  D  C  G  H  K 3001 GAGTCTTCCTTGTGGGATTGTCCTGCTAGACCCTGGGGGCACAGTGACTGTGGCCACAAG 1021 E  D  A  A  V  R  C  S  E  I  A  M  A  Q  R  S  S  N  P  R 3061 GAAGATGCTGCTGTGAGGTGCTCAGAAATTGCAATGGCCCAAAGATCATCAAATCCTAGA 1041 G  H  S  S  L  V  A  L  G  I  F  G  V  I  L  L  A  F  L  I 3121 GGTCACTCATCCCTTGTTGCATTGGGGATCTTTGGTGTCATTCTTCTGGCCTTTCTCATC 1061 A  L  L  L  W  T  Q  R  R  R  Q  Q  Q  R  L  T  V  S  L  R 3181 GCTCTCCTCTTGTGGACTCAAAGGCGAAGACAGCAACAGCGGCTTACAGTTTCCTTGAGA 1081 G  E  N  S  V  H  Q  I  Q  Y  R  E  M  N  S  S  L  K  A  D 3241 GGAGAGAATTCTGTCCACCAAATTCAATACCGGGAAATGAATTCTTCCCTGAAAGCAGAT 1101 D  L  D  V  L  T  S  S  E  D  H  F  E  V  H 3301 GATCTGGACGTGCTGACTTCCTCAGAAGACCATTTTGACGTACAC 1 MSKLRMVPHG NSGSADFRRC FALLCPSAVA VVSILSTCLM TNSLGRADKE MRLTDGEDNC SEQ ID 61 SGRVEVKVQE ENGTVCNNGW GMDEVSVICR QLGCPTAIKA AGWANSRAGS GRIWMDHVSC NO: 46 121 RGNESALWDC KHDGWGKHNC SHQQDAGVTC SDGSSLEMRL MNGGNQCSGR IEVKFQGQWG 181 TVCDDNFNID HASVVCKQLE CGSAVSFSGS ANFGEGSGPI WFDDLVCSGN ESALWNCKHE 241 GWGKHNCDHA EDVGVICLDG ADLSLRLVDG VTECSGRLEV KFQGEWGTVC DDGWDSNDAA 301 VVCKQLGCPT AVTAIGRVNA SEGSGHIWLD NLSCQGDESA LWQCRHHEWG KHYCNHNEDA 361 GVTCSDGSDL ELRLVGGGSR CAGTVEVEIQ KLLGKVCDRG WGLKEADVVC KQLGCGSALK 421 TSYQRYSKVK ATNTWLFLSR CSGNETSLWD CKNWQWGGLS CDHYEEAKVT CSAHREPRLV 481 GGDIPCSGRV EVKHGDTWGT VCDSDFSLEA ASVLCRELQC GTVISILGGA HFGEGNGQIW 541 AEEFQCEGQE SHLSLCSVAS RPDGTCSHSR DVGVVCSRYT EIRLVNGQSP CEGRVELKIL 601 GNWGSLCNSH WDIEDAHVFC QQLKCGVALS IPGGAHFGKG SGQIWRHMFH CTGTEQHMGD 661 CPVTALGATL CSAGQVASVI CSGNQSQTLS PCNSTSLDPT RSTTSEESAV ACIASGQLRL 721 VNGGGRCAGR IEVYHEGSWG TICDDSWDLS DAHVVCRQLG CGVAINATGS AHFGEGTGPI 781 WLDEVNCNGK ESHIWQCRSH GWGQHNCRHK EDAGVICSEF MSLRLIDETS RDICAGRLEV 841 FYNGAWGSVG KSNMSATTVE VVCRQLGCAD KGSINPASSD KPMSRHMWVD NVQCPKGPDT 901 LWQCPSSPWK QRVASSSEET WITCANKIRL QEGTSNCSGR VELWHGGSWG TVCDDSWDLE 961 DAQVVCRQLG CGPALEALKE AAFGQGTGPI WLNDVKCKGN ESSLWDCPAR PWGHSDCGHK 1021 EDAAVRCSEI AMAQRSSNPR GHSSLVALGI FGVILLAFLI ALLLWTQRRR QQQRLTVSLR 1081 GENSVHQIQY REMNSSLKAD DLDVLTSSED HFEVH 1 M  S  K  L  R  M  V  P  H  G  N  S  G  S  A  D  F  R  R  C SEQ ID 1 ATGAGCAAACTCAGAATGGTCCCACATGGAAACTCTGGATCTGCTGACTTTAGAAGATGT NO: 47 21 F  A  L  L  C  P  S  A  V  A  V  V  S  I  L  S  T  C  L  M 61 TTTGCCCTCTTGTGTCCCTCTGCTGTGGCTGTGGTCTCCATTCTCAGTACCTGTTTGATG 41 T  N  S  L  G  R  A  D  K  E  M  R  L  T  D  G  E  D  N  C 121 ACCAATTCTCTTGGGAGAGCAGATAAAGAGATGAGGCTAACGGATGGTGAAGACAATTGC 61 S  G  R  V  E  V  K  V  Q  E  E  W  G  T  V  C  N  N  G  W 181 TCCGGGAGAGTGGAAGTGAAAGTCCAGGAGGAGTGGGGAACGGTGTGTAATAATGGCTGG 81 G  M  D  E  V  S  V  I  C  R  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  I  K  A 241 GGCATGGATGAAGTCTCTGTGATTTGCAGGCAGCTGGGATGTCCCACTGCTATCAAAGCC 101 A  G  W  A  N  S  R  A  G  S  G  R  I  W  M  D  H  V  S  C 301 GCTGGATGGGCCAATTCCAGGGCAGGCTCTGGACGAATCTGGATGGATCATGTTTCTTGT 121 R  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  D  C  K  H  D  G  W  G  K  H  N  C 361 CGAGGGAATGAATCTGCTCTCTGGGACTGCAAACATGATGGATGGGGAAAGCACAACTGC 141 S  H  Q  Q  D  A  G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  S  L  E  M  R  L 421 AGTCATCAACAGGATGCTGGAGTAACCTGTTCAGATGGATCCAGTTTGGAGATGAGGTTG 161 M  N  G  G  N  Q  C  S  G  R  I  E  V  K  F  Q  G  Q  W  G 481 ATGAACGGCGGAAACCAGTGTTCTGGCAGAATAGAAGTCAAGTTCCAGGGACAGTGGGGA 181 T  V  C  D  D  N  F  N  I  D  H  A  S  V  V  C  K  Q  L  E 541 ACAGTGTGTGATGACAACTTCAACATAGATCATGCTTCTGTGGTTTGTAAACAGCTCGAA 201 C  G  S  A  V  S  F  S  G  S  A  N  F  G  E  G  S  G  P  I 601 TGTGGAAGTGCTGTCAGTTTCTCTGGTTCAGCTAATTTTGGAGAAGGTTCTGGGCCAATC 221 W  F  D  D  L  V  C  S  G  N  E  S  A  L  W  N  C  K  H  E 661 TGGTTTGATGATCTTGTGTGCAGTGGAAATGAGTCAGCTCTCTGGAACTGCAAGCATGAA 241 G  W  G  K  H  N  C  D  H  A  E  D  V  G  V  I  C  L  D  G 721 GGATGGGGAAAGCATAACTGTGATCACGCTGAGGATGTTGGAGTGATTTGCTTGGATGGA 261 A  D  L  S  L  R  L  V  D  G  V  T  E  C  S  G  R  L  E  V 781 GCAGATCTGAGCCTGAGACTGGTAGATGGAGTCACTGAATGTTCAGGAAGATTAGAAGTA 281 K  F  Q  G  E  W  G  T  V  C  D  D  G  W  D  S  N  D  A  A 841 AAATTCCAAGGGGAATGGGGGACAGTGTGTGATGATGGCTGGGATAGTAATGATGCTGCT 301 V  V  C  K  Q  L  G  C  P  T  A  V  T  A  I  G  R  V  N  A 901 GTGGTATGTAAACAACTGGGATGCCCAACTGCTGTCACCGCCATTGGTCGAGTTAACGCC 321 S  E  G  S  G  H  I  W  L  D  N  L  S  C  Q  G  D  E  S  A 961 AGTGAGGGAAGTGGACACATTTGGCTTGACAATCTTTCCTGCCAAGGAGACGAATCTGCT 341 L  W  Q  C  R  H  H  E  W  G  K  H  Y  C  N  H  N  E  D  A 1021 CTCTGGCAGTGTAGACACCATGAATGGGGAAAGCATTATTGCAATCATAATGAAGATGCT 361 G  V  T  C  S  D  G  S  D  L  E  L  R  L  V  G  G  G  S  R 1081 GGTGTGACATGTTCTGATGGATCAGACCTGGAGCTGAGACTTGTCGGTGGAGGCAGCCGC 381 C  A  G  T  V  E  V  E  I  Q  K  L  L  G  K  V  C  D  R  G 1141 TGTGCTGGGACAGTGGAGGTTGAAATTCAGAAACTGCTAGGGAAAGTATGTGATAGAGGC 401 W  G  L  K  E  A  D  V  V  C  K  Q  L  G  C  G  S  A  L  K 1201 TGGGGACTGAAAGAAGCCGATGTGGTTTGCAAGCAGTTGGGATGTGGATCTGCTCTCAAA 421 T  S  Y  Q  R  Y  S  K  V  K  A  T  N  T  W  L  F  L  S  R 1261 ACGTCCTATCAGCGTTATTCCAAAGTTAAGGCAACAAACACATGGCTGTTTTTAAGCCGC 441 C  S  G  N  E  T  S  L  W  D  C  K  N  W  Q  W  G  G  L  S 1321 TGTAGTGGCAATGAAACTTCCCTTTGGGACTGCAAGAACTGGCAGTGGGGTGGACTGAGC 461 C  D  H  Y  E  E  A  K  V  T  C  S  A  H  R  E  P  R  L  V 1381 TGTGATCACTATGAAGAAGCTAAAGTTACCTGCTCAGCCCACAGGGAACCCAGACTAGTT 481 G  G  D  I  P  C  S  G  R  V  E  V  K  H  G  D  T  W  G  T 1441 GGAGGAGATATTCCCTGCTCTGGTCGTGTTGAAGTGAAACATGGTGACACATGGGGCACC 501 V  C  D  S  D  F  S  L  E  A  A  S  V  L  C  R  E  L  Q  C 1501 GTCTGTGATTCCGACTTCTCTTTGGAAGCTGCCAGTGTGCTGTGCAGAGAGTTACAGTGT 521 G  T  V  I  S  I  L  G  G  A  H  F  G  E  G  N  G  Q  I  W 1561 GGCACAGTCATCTCCATCCTAGGGGGAGCTCACTTTGGAGAAGGAAATGGACAGATCTGG 541 A  E  E  F  Q  C  E  G  Q  E  S  H  L  S  L  C  S  V  A  S 1621 GCTGAAGAATTCCAGTGTGAGGGGCAGGAGTCCCATCTTTCACTCTGTTCAGTAGCCTCT 561 R  P  D  G  T  C  S  H  S  R  D  V  G  V  V  C  S  R  Y  T 1681 CGCCCAGATGGGACCTGTAGCCACAGCAGGGATGTTGGAGTCGTCTGCTCAAGATACACG 581 E  I  R  L  V  N  G  Q  S  P  C  E  G  R  V  E  L  K  I  L 1741 GAAATCCGCTTGGTGAATGGCCAGTCCCCGTGTGAAGGAAGAGTGGAGCTCAAGATACTT 601 G  N  W  G  S  L  C  N  S  H  W  D  I  E  D  A  H  V  F  C 1801 GGGAACTGGGGATCCCTCTGCAACTCTCACTGGGACATAGAAGATGCCCATGTTTTCTGT 621 Q  Q  L  K  C  G  V  A  L  S  I  P  G  G  A  H  F  G  K  G 1861 CAGCAGCTCAAATGTGGAGTTGCCCTTTCTATTCCGGGAGGAGCACATTTTGGGAAAGGA 641 S  G  Q  I  W  R  H  M  F  H  C  T  G  T  E  Q  H  M  G  D 1921 AGTGGTCAGATCTGGAGGCACATGTTTCACTGCACTGGGACTGAGCAGCACATGGGAGAT 661 C  P  V  T  A  L  G  A  T  L  C  S  A  G  Q  V  A  S  V  I 1981 TGCCCTGTAACTGCTCTGGGCGCGACGCTGTGTTCTGCTGGGCAAGTGGCCTCTGTAATC 681 C  S  G  N  Q  S  Q  T  L  S  P  C  N  S  T  S  L  D  P  T 2041 TGCTCAGGAAATCAGAGCCAGACGCTATCCCCATGCAATTCAACATCTCTGGACCCAACA 701 R  S  T  T  S  E  E  S  A  V  A  C  I  A  S  G  Q  L  R  L 2101 AGATCTACCACTTCGGAAGAAAGTGCTGTTGCTTGTATTGCGAGTOGGCAACTTCGCCTG 721 V  N  G  G  G  R  C  A  G  R  I  E  V  Y  H  E  G  S  W  G 2161 GTAAATGGAGGCGGTCGCTGTGCTGGGAGAATAGAGGTCTACCATGAGGGCTCCTGGGGC 741 T  I  C  D  D  S  W  D  L  S  D  A  H  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G 2221 ACCATCTGTGATGACAGCTGGGACCTGAGTGATGCCCATGTGGTGTGCAGACAGCTGGGC 761 C  G  V  A  I  N  A  T  G  S  A  H  F  G  E  G  T  G  P  I 2281 TGTGGAGTGGCCATTAATGCCACTGGCTCTGCTCATTTTGGGGAAGGAACAGGGCCCATC 781 W  L  D  E  V  N  C  N  G  K  E  S  H  I  W  Q  C  R  S  H 2341 TGGCTGGACGAGGTGAACTGTAATGGAAAGGAATCTCATATCTGGCAATGCCGCTCACAC 801 G  W  G  Q  H  N  C  R  H  K  E  D  A  G  V  I  C  S  E  F 2401 GGCTGGGGGCAACACAACTGCAGACATAAGGAGGATGCAGGAGTTATCTGCTCAGAGTTC 821 M  S  L  R  L  I  D  E  T  S  R  D  I  C  A  G  R  L  E  V 2461 ATGTCTCTCAGACTGATTGATGAAACCAGCAGAGACATCTGTGCAGGGCGTCTTGAAGTT 841 F  Y  N  G  A  W  G  S  V  G  K  S  N  M  S  A  T  T  V  E 2521 TTTTACAATGGAGCTTGGGGCAGCGTTGGCAAGAGTAATATGTCTGCAACCACTGTGGAG 861 V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  A  D  K  G  S  I  N  P  A  S  S  D 2581 GTGGTATGCAGGCAACTGGGTTGTGCAGACAAGGGGAGCATCAACCCTGCATCTTCAGAC 881 K  P  M  S  R  H  M  W  V  D  N  V  Q  C  P  K  G  P  D  T 2641 AAGCCCATGTCCAGGCACATGTGGGTGGACAATGTCCAGTGTCCAAAAGGACCTGACACC 901 L  W  Q  C  P  S  S  P  W  K  Q  R  V  A  S  S  S  E  E  T 2701 TTATGGCAGTGCCCATCTTCTCCATGGAAACAGAGAGTGGCCAGTTCTTCAGAGGAGACC 921 W  I  T  C  A  N  K  I  R  L  Q  E  G  T  S  N  C  S  G  R 2761 TGGATCACATGTGCCAACAAGATAAGACTTCAAGAAGGAACCTCTAATTGTTCTGGACGT 941 V  E  L  W  H  G  G  S  W  G  T  V  C  D  D  S  W  D  L  E 2821 GTGGAGCTCTGGCACGGAGGTTCCTGGGGGACAGTGTGCGATGACTCCTGGGACCTTGAA 961 D  A  Q  V  V  C  R  Q  L  G  C  G  P  A  L  E  A  L  K  E 2881 GATGCACAAGTGGTGTGTCGACAGCTGGGCTGTGGCCCAGCATTAGAAGCACTAAAAGAG 981 A  A  F  G  Q  G  T  G  P  I  W  L  N  D  V  K  C  K  G  N 2941 GCAGCATTTGGTCAGGGGACTGGGCCTATATGGCTCAATGACGTGAAGTGCAAAGGGAAT 1001 E  S  S  L  W  D  C  P  A  R  P  W  G  H  S  D  C  G  H  K 3001 GAGTCTTCCTTGTGGGATTGTCCTGCTAGACCCTGGGGGCACAGTGACTGTGGCCACAAG 1021 E  D  A  A  V  R  C  S  E  I  A  M  A  Q  R  S  S  N  P  R 3061 GAAGATGCTGCTGTGAGGTGCTCAGAAATTGCAATGGCCCAAAGATCATCAAATCCTAGA 1041 G  H  S  S  L  V  A  L  G  I  F  G  V  I  L  L  A  F  L  I 3121 GGTCACTCATCCCTTGTTGCATTGGGGATCTTTGGTGTCATTCTTCTGGCCTTTCTCATC 1061 A  L  L  L  W  T  Q  R  R  R  Q  Q  Q  R  L  T  V  S  L  R 3181 GCTCTCCTCTTGTGGACTCAAAGGCGAAGACAGCAACAGCGGCTTACAGTTTCCTTGAGA 1081 G  E  N  S  V  H  Q  I  Q  Y  R  E  M  N  S  S  L  K  A  D 3241 GGAGAGAATTCTGTCCACCAAATTCAATACCGGGAAATGAATTCTTCCCTGAAAGCAGAT 1101 D  L  D  V  L  T  S  S  E  Y  P  N  E  S  D  D  E  N  D  A 3301 GATCTGGACGTGCTGACTTCCTCAGAATATCCCAATGAGTCAGATGATTTTAATGATGCT 1121 G  L  I  S  V  S  K  S  L  P  I  S  G 3361 GGGCTAATTTCTGTGTCTAAATCTCTTCCTATTTCTGGA 1 MSKLRMVPHG NSGSADFRRC FALLCPSAVA VVSILSTCLM TNSLGRADKE MRLTDGEDNC SEQ ID 61 SGRVEVKVQE EWGTVCNNGW GMDEVSVICR QLGCPTAIKA AGWANSRAGS GRIWMDHVSC NO: 48 121 RGNESALWDC KHDGWGKHNC SHQQDAGVTC SDGSSLEMRL MNGGNQCSGR IEVKFQGQWG 181 TVCDDNFNID HASVVCKQLE CGSAVSFSGS ANFGEGSGPI WFDDLVCSGN ESALWNCKHE 241 GWGKHNCDHA EDVGVICLDG ADLSLRLVDG VTECSGRLEV KFQGEWGTVC DDGWDSNDAA 301 VVCKQLGCPT AVTAIGRVNA SEGSGHIWLD NLSCQGDESA LWQCRHHEWG KHYCNHNEDA 361 GVTCSDGSDL ELRLVGGGSR CAGTVEVEIQ KLLGKVCDRG WGLKEADVVC KQLGCGSALK 421 TSYQRYSKVK ATNTWLFLSR CSGNETSLWD CKNWQWGGLS CDHYEEAKVT CSAHREPRLV 481 GGDIPCSGRV EVKHGDTWGT VCDSDFSLEA ASVLCRELQC GTVISILGGA HFGEGNGQIW 541 AEEFQCEGQE SHLSLCSVAS RPDGTCSHSR DVGVVCSRYT EIRLVNGQSP CEGRVELKIL 601 GNWGSLCNSH WDIEDAHVFC QQLKCGVALS IPGGAHFGKG SGQIWRHMFH CTGTEQHMGD 661 CPVTALGATL CSAGQVASVI CSGNQSQTLS PCNSTSLDPT RSTTSEESAV ACIASGQLRL 721 VNGGGRCAGR IEVYHEGSWG TICDDSWDLS DAHVVCRQLG CGVAINATGS AHFGEGTGPI 781 WLDEVNCNGK ESHIWQCRSH GWGQHNCRHK EDAGVICSEF MSLRLIDETS RDICAGRLEV 841 FYNGAWGSVG KSNMSATTVE VVCRQLGCAD KGSINPASSD KPMSRHMWVD NVQCPKGPDT 901 LWQCPSSPWK QRVASSSEET WITCANKIRL QEGTSNCSGR VELWHGGSWG TVCDDSWDLE 961 DAQVVCRQLG CGPALEALKE AAFGQGTGPI WLNDVKCKGN ESSLWDCPAR PWGHSDCGHK 1021 EDAAVRCSEI AMAQRSSNPR GHSSLVALGI FGVILLAFLI ALLLWTQRRR QQQRLTVSLR 1081 GENSVHQIQY REMNSSLKAD DLDVLTSSEY PNESDDFNDA GLISVSKSLP ISG

Example 11 Various Cell Lines are Rendered Permissive to North American PRRSV Infection Following Transient Transfection with pCMV-susCD163v1

Porcine Kidney (PK032495), Norden Labs Swine Testicular (NLST-1), Norden Labs Dog Kidney (NLDK-1) were obtained from Pfizer Inc. and were grown at 37° C. and 5% CO₂ in growth media consisting of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM, Invitrogen catalog number 11965) supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 2 mM L-glutamine and antibiotics. Cell lines Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK21), Norden Labs Feline Kidney (NLFK-1), and Rabbit Lung (RL) were obtained from Pfizer Inc. and were grown at 37° C. and 5% CO₂ in growth media consisting of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM, Invitrogen catalog number 11965) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 2 mM L-glutamine and antibiotics. Vero cells were obtained from Pfizer Inc. and were grown at 37° C. and 5% CO₂ in growth media consisting of Minimum Essential Medium Alpha (MEM, Pfizer Inc. formulation) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 2 mM L-glutamine and Gentamicin at 20 micrograms per mL. Cell culture wells (35 mm) containing approximately 1×10⁶ cells were transfected with 2 micrograms per well of plasmid pCMV-susCD163v1, in DMEM without FBS or antibiotics, using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen catalog number 11668-027) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Cell line RL was transfected with 1.0 micrograms per well of plasmid pCMV-susCD163v1. A member of the PAM cell cDNA library without an insert, designated pPAMB (essentially and empty pSport plasmid vector), was used as a negative control plasmid. At 24 hours post transfection wells were aspirated and washed twice with DMEM/5% FBS followed by infection with North American PRRSV isolate P129. Virus was allowed to adsorb in 0.5 ml growth media for a minimum of two hours, after which additional media was added to a final volume of 2.0 ml and incubated overnight. The virus was then removed, wells washed twice with growth media, and fresh growth media added (2.0 ml per well). A time zero sample of culture fluid was immediately taken in order to determine the background level of infectious virus from the inoculum. At a minimum of 48 hours post infection cultures were screened for permissivity by removing culture fluids in order to assay viable virus, and permissive cells in the monolayer were detected by fluorescent antibody assay (FA). The FA was completed by fixing the monolayer with 80% acetone and stained with FITC-conjugated monoclonal antibody SDOW17 (Rural Technologies Inc), which is specific for the PRRSV nucleocapsid protein. Viable virus was titrated by inoculating dilutions of culture fluids onto MARC-145 cells. Table 5 shows the results of virus infection by FA and the presence of progeny virus for each cell line tested.

Failure to detect progeny virus from some cell lines may be the result of low virus titer in the cell culture fluids, below the assay's limit of detection. Permissivity of Vero cells to PRRSV infection was augmented by the expression of susCD163v1. Compared to the time zero measurement of background virus, there was nearly a two-log increase in virus titers in Vero cells transfected with pCMV-susCD163v1, whereas there was less than a one-log in titer increase in cells transfected with negative control plasmid pPAMB. All cell lines except NLDK-1 were positive by FA for permissivity to North American PRRSV isolate P129 infection after transfection with pCMV-susCD163v1.

TABLE 5 Screening of various cell lines for permissivity to NA PRRSV isolate P129 following transient transfection with pCMV-susCD163v1 or pPAMB Fluorescent Antibody assay Progeny virus produced Transfected pCMV- pCMV- cell line susCD163v1 pPAMB susCD163v1 pPAMB BHK21 +++ − +++ − PK032495 + − + − NKFK-1 + − + − NLST-1 + − − − NLDK-1 − − NT NT RL + − − − Vero ++ + ++ + +++ = Highly positive ++ = Moderately positive + = Slightly positive − = Not detectible NT = Not tested

Example 12 BHK21 Cells are Rendered Permissive to European PRRSV Infection Following Transient Transfection with pCMV-susCD163v1

Cell line Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK21) was obtained from Pfizer Inc. and grown at 37° C. and 5% CO₂ in growth media consisting of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM, Invitrogen catalog number 11965) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 2 mM L-glutamine and antibiotics. Cell culture wells (35 mm) containing approximately 1×10⁶ cells were transfected with 2 micrograms per well of plasmid pCMV-susCD163v1, in DMEM without FBS or antibiotics, using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen catalog number 11668-027) according to the manufacturer's instructions. At 24 hours post transfection wells were aspirated and washed twice with DMEM/5% FBS followed by infection with European PRRSV isolate 96V198. Virus was allowed to adsorb for a minimum of 2 hours. The virus was then removed, wells washed twice with growth media, and fresh growth media added (2.0 ml per well). A time zero sample of culture fluid was immediately taken in order to determine the background level of infectious virus from the inoculum. At a minimum of 48 hours post infection cultures were screened for permissivity by removing culture fluids in order to assay viable virus, and permissive cells in the monolayer were detected by fluorescent antibody assay (FA). The FA was completed by fixing the monolayer with 80% acetone and stained with FITC-conjugated monoclonal antibody SDOW17 (Rural Technologies Inc), which is specific for the PRRSV nucleocapsid protein. Viable virus was titrated by inoculating dilutions of culture fluids onto MARC-145 cells. As a result of the transient transfection of BKH21 with pCMV-susCD163v1, cells were rendered permissive to European PRRSV isolate 96V198 infection and yielded progeny virus.

Example 13 CD163 Genes from Multiple Animal Species Render BHK21 Cells Permissive to PRRS Virus Infection

BHK21 cells grown in DMEM (Invitrogen catalog number 11965) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, and antibiotics, were used in transient transfection experiments. Before transfection cells were washed once with OptiMEM (Invitrogen) without serum or other additives. Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen) was used in all transfection experiments according to the protocol provided by the manufacturer. The transfection mixture consisted of 10 microliters of Lipofectamine 2000 and 2-3 micrograms of DNA per 35 mm well. After overnight incubation, transfection medium was removed and cells were infected with PRRSV isolate P129. Infection was allowed to progress for 24-48 hours, when cells were fixed with 80% acetone and stained with monoclonal antibody SDOW17 conjugated with FITC (Rural Technology Inc., Brookings, S. Dak.). Staining of the nucleocapsid protein was visualized under a fluorescence microscope. Table 6. Transient transfection of BHK21 cells with various CD163 genes renders them permissive to PRRS virus infection

TABLE 6 PRRSV infection Plasmid backbone CD163 gene (FA) pCMV-Script Swine CD163v1 +++ pRSV-Script Swine CD163v1 +++ pcDNA3.1D Swine CD163v2 ++ pcDNA3.1D Human CD163v2 ++ pcDNA3.1D Mouse CD163v3 + pcDNA3.1D African green monkey +++ (MARC-145 cell) CD163v2 pcDNA3.1D Vero cells CD163v7 +++ pcDNA3.1D DH82 cell CD163v2 +++ +++ = Highly positive ++ = Moderately positive + = Slightly positive

Example 14 Generation of PRRSV-Permissive BHK21 Stable Cell Lines Using pCMV-susCD163v1

BHK-21 cells were grown in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Media (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, and antibiotics. For transfection, cells were seeded at approximately 90% confluency in 6 well plates and incubated over night at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. Cells were transfected with pCMV-susCD163v1 DNA using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen) according to the manufacturer's instructions. One day after transfection the cells were trypsinized and re-seeded in 96 well plates in a dilution series. To select for stable transfectants, the media was supplemented with 1 mg/ml Geneticin (G418 sulfate, Invitrogen catalog number 10131-027) from this point forward. Medium was changed every 3-5 days. Plates were cultured until those wells with colonies derived from single cells reached confluency, at which point the plates were trypsinized and seeded into duplicate 96 well plates. One of the duplicate 96 well plates was infected with PRRSV isolate P129 and clones permissive to infection were identified by staining with FITC conjugated monoclonal antibody SDOW17. Positive clones were then expanded from the second duplicate plate. To ensure homogeneity the positive cultures were single-cell cloned by limiting dilution. At each cloning the subclones that displayed robust growth and high PRRSV permissivity were chosen for expansion. Three clones designated BHK/CMV/v1 #3, BHK/CMV/v1 #5, and BHK/CMV/v1 #12 (FIG. 6) were selected. These cell lines have maintained the permissive phenotype through 20 passages.

Example 15 Generation of PRRSV-Permissive BHK21 Stable Cell Lines Using pRSV-susCD163v1

BHK-21 cells were cultured as described in Example 14. BHK-21 cells were transfected with pRSVsusCD163v1 using Lipofectamine 2000 as described in Example 14. Cloning of transfected cells and screening for permissive clones was performed essentially as described in Example 14. From the original cloning 3 single cell clones were identified as permissive and were subsequently recloned two more times to ensure homogeneity and to attempt to isolate subclones of higher permissivity (see FIG. 7). The resulting cell lines were named BHK/RSV/v1, #2, #3, and #4. All of these clones have maintained the permissive phenotype through the highest passage tested (passage 11 for clone #2, passage 7 for clone #3, and passage 5 for clone #4).

Example 16 Generation of PRRSV-Permissive Feline Kidney Stable Cell Lines Using pCMV-susCD163v1

Parental Norden Labs Feline Kidney (NLFK) cells were grown at 37 degrees C. and 5% CO₂ in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (Invitrogen catalog number 11965-092) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, and antibiotics. Several 35 mm wells containing approximately 2×10⁶ cells each were transfected with 4 micrograms per well of pCMV-susCD163v1, in OptiMEM, using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen catalog number 11668-027) according to the manufacturer's instructions. After overnight incubation, cells were removed from the substrate using Accutase (Innovative Cell Technologies, catalog number AT104) diluted in medium, and seeded into three 96-well plates at three densities (approximately 2×10², 2×10³, and 2×10⁴ cells per well). The cells were allowed to settle overnight at 37 degrees C. before beginning selection of stable transformants. The next morning medium was replaced with 100 microliters/well fresh medium containing 500 micrograms/ml Geneticin (G418 sulfate, Invitrogen catalog number 10131-027) to select for cells expressing the neomycin resistance gene. Medium was changed every 2 or 3 days to maintain Geneticin potency. After 19 days of selection, the 96-well plate with the lowest initial cell density (approximately 200 cells/well) yielded 70 empty wells and 26 wells with one or more colonies of G418-resistant cells (calculated number of resistant cells/well is 0.3, using the Poisson distribution). These 26 wells were split into duplicate wells and allowed to settle overnight. One set of wells was infected with PRRSV isolate P129, incubated for 24 hours, then fixed with 80% acetone and stained with FITC-conjugated monoclonal antibody SDOW17 (Rural Technologies Inc), which is specific for PRRSV nucleocapsid. Of the 26 clones, 8 contained some cells that were infected by PRRSV. One of these, designated “NLFK-CMV-susCD163v1-G4”, was clearly more permissive than the others with nearly 100% of the cells staining positive for viral antigen.

By cell passage number 5, there was some evidence of phenotypic heterogeneity in the NLFK-CMV-susCD163v1-G4 cell line. Therefore, the cells were single-cell cloned by limiting dilution in G418-containing medium, starting with frozen stocks of NLFK-CMV-susCD163v1-G4 passage 4. Twelve such clones (“A”-“L”) were expanded for study. Of these, clones NLFK-CMV-susCD163v1-G4F and NLFK-CMV-susCD163v1-G4L were notable for their ability to form discrete plaques (localized areas of CPE) when infected with PRRSV isolate P129 (see FIG. 8).

Example 17 Generation of PRRSV-Permissive Feline Kidney Stable Cell Lines Using pRSV-susCD163v1

Norden Labs Feline Kidney (NLFK) cells were grown at 37° C. and 5% CO₂ in Minimal Essential Medium Alpha Medium (Invitrogen catalog number 12571-071) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and antibiotics. NLFK cells were seeded in 6 well plates at approximately 90% confluency and allowed to attach overnight. The cells were then transfected with plasmid pRSV-susCD163v1 using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen) following the manufacturer's instructions. After 24 hours the cells were cloned as described in Example 14. Screening for PRRSV permissive cell clones was performed as described in Example 14. Four clones were selected from the screening and were single cell cloned by limiting dilution two more times. Four clones named FK/RSV/v1 #1, FK/RSV/v1 #2, FK/RSV/v1 #3, and FK/RSV/v1 #4 were selected. These cell lines have maintained the PRRSV permissive phenotype through at least 8 passages (see FIG. 9).

Example 18 Generation of PRRSV-Permissive Porcine Kidney Stable Cell Lines Using pCMV-susCD163v1

Parental Porcine Kidney (PK032495) cells were obtained from Pfizer Inc. and were grown at 37 degrees C. and 5% CO₂ in growth media consisting of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM, Invitrogen catalog number 11965) supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 2 mM L-glutamine and antibiotics. Tissue culture wells (35 mm) containing approximately 1×10⁶ cells each were transfected with 2 micrograms per well of plasmid pCMV-susCD163v1, in DMEM without FBS or antibiotics, using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen catalog number 11668-027) according to the manufacturer's instructions. After overnight incubation, cells were washed with PBS and removed from the substrate using Accutase (Innovative Cells Technologies, catalog number AT104) and diluted in growth medium containing Geneticin (G418 sulfate, Invitrogen catalog number 10131-027) at 1.0 milligram per ml and seeded into 96-well plates at various densities to ensure recovery of single cell clones after Geneticin selection. Throughout Geneticin selection, media was changed approximately every 3 to 5 days. After selection, wells containing single cell clones were expanded into duplicate 96-well plates and allowed to incubate until 100% confluency was achieved. One set of wells was screened for PRRSV-permissivity by infecting with PRRSV isolate P129 for a minimum of 48 hours. Eleven clones were found to be permissive for PRRSV. One of these, designated “PK-CMV-susCD163v1-A10”, clearly retained the permissive phenotype after numerous passages (see FIG. 10).

Example 19 Generation of PRRSV-Permissive BHK21 Stable Cell Lines Using pCMVScript-susCD163v2

Parental Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK21) cells were obtained from Pfizer Inc. and were grown at 37 degrees C. and 5% CO₂ in growth media consisting of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM, Invitrogen catalog number 11965) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 2 mM L-glutamine and antibiotics. Tissue culture wells (35 mm) containing approximately 1×10⁶ cells each were transfected with 2 micrograms per well of pCMVScript-susCD163v2, in DMEM without FBS or antibiotics, using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen catalog number 11668-027) according to the manufacturer's instructions. After overnight incubation, cells were washed with PBS and removed from the substrate using Accutase (Innovative Cells Technologies, catalog number AT104) and diluted in growth medium containing Geneticin (G418 sulfate, Invitrogen catalog number 10131-027) at 1.0 milligram per ml and seeded into 96-well plates at various densities to ensure recovery of single cell clones after Geneticin selection. Throughout Geneticin selection, media was changed approximately every 3 to 5 days. After selection, wells containing single cell clones were expanded into duplicate 96-well plates and incubated until 100% confluency was achieved. One set of wells was screened for permissivity by infecting with PRRSV isolate P129 and incubating for a minimum of 48 hours. Three clones were found to be PRRSV-permissive, and one of these, designated “BHK-CMVScript-susCD163v2-A9”, was chosen for further study (see FIG. 11).

Example 20 Generation of PRRSV-Permissive BHK-21 Stable Cell Lines Using pRSV-susCD163v2

BHK-21 cells were cultured as described in Example 14. BHK-21 cells were transfected with the ligated pRSV-susCD163v2 DNA construct described in Example 5 using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen) following manufacture's instructions. Subsequent cloning and selection of PRRSV permissive cell lines was performed as described in Example 14. Of 336 single cell clones screened, 129 were positive. Several of these cell clones have been passed up to 7 times and they have maintained the PRRSV permissive phenotype (see FIG. 12). These cell lines have been named BHK/RSV/v2, followed by a numerical clone number.

Example 21 Generation of PRRSV-Permissive Porcine Kidney Stable Cell Lines Using pCMVScript-susCD163v2

Parental Porcine Kidney (PK032495) cells were obtained from Pfizer Inc. and were grown at 37 degrees C. and 5% CO₂ in growth media consisting of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM, Invitrogen catalog number 11965) supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 2 mM L-glutamine and antibiotics. Tissue culture wells (35 mm) containing approximately 1×10⁶ cells each were transfected with 2 micrograms per well of pCMVScript-susCD163v2 in DMEM without FBS or antibiotics, using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen catalog number 11668-027) according to the manufacturer's instructions. After overnight incubation, cells were washed with PBS and removed from the substrate using Accutase (Innovative Cells Technologies, catalog number AT104) and diluted in growth medium containing Geneticin (G418 sulfate, Invitrogen catalog number 10131-027) at 1.0 milligram per ml and seeded into 96-well plates at various densities to ensure recovery of single cell clones after Geneticin selection. Throughout Geneticin selection, media was changed approximately every 3 to 5 days. After selection, wells containing single cell clones were expanded into duplicate 96-well plates and incubated until 100% confluency was achieved. One set of wells was screened for permissivity by infecting with PRRSV isolate P129 and incubating for a minimum 48 hours. One clone designated “PK-CMVScript-susCD163v2-D1” showed the PRRSV-permissive phenotype.

Example 22 Generation of PRRSV-Permissive BHK21 Stable Cell Lines Using pcDNA3.1D-humCD163v2

Parental Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK21) cells were obtained from Pfizer Inc. and were grown at 37 degrees C. and 5% CO₂ in growth media consisting of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM, Invitrogen catalog number 11965) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 2 mM L-glutamine and antibiotics. Tissue culture wells (35 mm) containing approximately 1×10⁶ cells each were transfected with 2 micrograms per well of pcDNA3.1D-humCD163v2, in DMEM without FBS or antibiotics, using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen catalog number 11668-027) according to the manufacturer's instructions. After overnight incubation, cells were washed with PBS and removed from the substrate using Accutase (Innovative Cells Technologies, catalog number AT104) and diluted in growth medium containing Geneticin (G418 sulfate, Invitrogen catalog number 10131-027) at 1.0 milligram per ml and seeded into 96-well plates at various densities to ensure recovery of single cell clones after Geneticin selection. Throughout Geneticin selection, media was changed approximately every 3 to 5 days. After selection, wells containing single cell clones were expanded into duplicate 96-well plates and incubated until 100% confluency was achieved. One set of wells was screened for permissivity by infecting with PRRSV isolate P129, incubated for a minimum 48 hours. Seven candidate clones were found to be PRRSV-permissive. There was some evidence of phenotypic heterogeneity in each of the seven candidate clones, likely because they were not clonal. Therefore, the candidate clones were single-cell cloned by limiting dilution in G418 containing medium. One single cell clone with clear PRRS-permissivity was obtained and designated BHK-cDNA3.1D-humCD163v2-H9.

Example 23 Generation of PRRSV-Permissive Feline Kidney Stable Cell Lines Using pcDNA3.1D-humCD163v2

Parental Norden Labs Feline Kidney (NLFK) cells were grown at 37 degrees C. and 5% CO₂ in growth media consisting of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM, Invitrogen catalog number 11965) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 2 mM L-glutamine and antibiotics. Tissue culture wells (35 mm) containing approximately 1×10⁶ cells each were transfected with 2 micrograms per well of pcDNA3.1D-humCD163v2 in DMEM without FBS or antibiotics, using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen catalog number 11668-027) according to the manufacturer's instructions. After overnight incubation, cells were washed with PBS, removed from the substrate using Accutase (Innovative Cells Technologies, catalog number AT104), diluted in growth medium containing Geneticin (G418 sulfate, Invitrogen catalog number 10131-027) at 500 micrograms per ml, and seeded into 96-well plates at various densities to ensure recovery of single cell clones after Geneticin selection. Throughout Geneticin selection, media was changed approximately every 3 to 5 days. After selection, wells containing single cell clones were expanded into duplicate 96-well plates and incubated until 100% confluency was achieved. One set of wells was screened for PRRSV-permissivity by infecting with PRRSV isolate P129 for a minimum 48 hours. Five clones were found to be permissive. One of these, designated “FK-cDNA3.1D-humCD163v2-A6”, clearly displayed the permissive phenotype (see FIG. 13).

NLFK parent cells and one subclone of FK-cDNA3.1D-humCD163v2-A6 were examined for the CD163 expression. Cells were fixed in 80% acetone and reacted with Goat anti-human CD163 (R&D System at 1:200) for one hour following by washing with PBS. For visualization, donkey anti-Goat IgG conjugated with FITC (Biodesign Inc at 1:100) were used. No specific fluorescence was detected in the NLFK parent cells as shown in FIG. 21A. The majority of the FK.A6.A2 subclone showed good fluorescent staining indicating the presence of CD163 (FIG. 21B).

Example 24 Generation of PRRSV-Permissive Porcine Kidney Stable Cell Lines Using pcDNA3.1D-humCD163v2

Parental Porcine Kidney (PK032495) cells were obtained from Pfizer Inc. and were grown at 37 degrees C. and 5% CO₂ in growth media consisting of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM, Invitrogen catalog number 11965) supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 2 mM L-glutamine and antibiotics. Tissue culture wells (35 mm) containing approximately 1×10⁶ cells each were transfected with 2 micrograms per well of pcDNA3.1D-humCD163v2, in DMEM without FBS or antibiotics, using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen catalog number 11668-027) according to the manufacturer's instructions. After overnight incubation, cells were washed with PBS, removed from the substrate using Accutase (Innovative Cells Technologies, catalog number AT104), diluted in growth medium containing Geneticin (G418 sulfate, Invitrogen catalog number 10131-027) at 1.0 milligram per ml, and seeded into 96-well plates at various densities to ensure recovery of single cell clones after Geneticin selection. Throughout Geneticin selection, media was changed approximately every 3 to 5 days. After selection, wells containing single cell clones were expanded into duplicate 96-well plates and incubated until 100% confluency was achieved. One set of wells was screened for PRRSV-permissivity by infecting with PRRSV isolate P129 for a minimum 48 hours. Two clones were found to be permissive. One of these, designated “PK-cDNA3.1D-humCD163v2-B11” clearly showed the PRRSV-permissive phenotype.

Example 25 Generation of PRRSV-Permissive Feline Kidney Stable Cell Line Using Ligated pRSV-Script MARC CD163v2

A non-cloning based procedure to generate microgram quantities of linear DNA suitable for use in generating stable cell lines expressing CD163 from an RSV promoter was developed (FIG. 4). A similar process was adapted to place simian CD163v2 from MARC-145 cells behind the RSV promoter. The procedure involves the isolation and ligation of two pieces of DNA, one containing the neomycin gene and RSV promoter cassette derived from pRSV-script, and the other containing the MARC CD163v2 coding sequence from pcDNA3.1D MARC CD163v2. Vector plasmid pRSV-Script was linearized with Hind III and Kpn I. Plasmid was first digested with Kpn I and was bunted with the Klenow fragment of E. coli DNA polymerase. This plasmid was then digested with Hind III immediately downstream of the RSV promoter. The pcDNA3.1D MARC CD163v2 clone was digested in the vector sequence downstream of the CD163 insert with EcoRV, and Hind III upstream of CD163. The CD163 coding sequence was liberated from the vector. For each plasmid digestion the appropriate fragments were purified from agarose gels. A large-scale ligation reaction was performed as follows. Approximately 20 μg of each DNA fragment was incubated in a volume of 600 μL with 15 units of T4 DNA ligase. The reaction was incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. Following ligation, a linear piece of DNA containing all of the appropriate elements was purified by agarose gel electrophoresis. Restriction enzyme digestion analysis was performed to confirm the authenticity of each ligated fragment. Ligation of the two DNA fragments via the cohesive Hind III termini resulted in the placement of the 5′ sequences of the MARC CD163 gene downstream of the RSV promoter, allowing for directed expression of CD163 in mammalian cells. Once isolated, the purified DNA was used to transfect selected mammalian cell lines.

Norden Labs Feline Kidney (NLFK) cells were grown at 37° C. and 5% CO₂ in DMEM supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum and antibiotics. NLFK cells were seeded in 6 well plates at approximately 90% confluency and allowed to attach overnight. The cells were then transfected with ligated plasmid pRSV-MARC CD163v2 using Lipofectamine 2000 following the manufacturer's instructions. After 24 hours the cells were cloned as described in Example 12. Screening for PRRSV permissive cell clones was performed as described in Example 12. One clone was positive for PRRSV infection and designated NLFK-MARC CD163 D4. This D4 clone has maintained the PRRSV permissive phenotype through 9 passages.

Example 26 Growth Kinetics of PRRSV Isolate NVSL 94-3 in Recombinant BHK-21 and NLFK Cells Stably Expressing susCD163v1 from the CMV Promoter

The amounts of progeny virus produced by PRRSV-infected BHK-21 or NLFK cells stably engineered to express susCD163v1 were quantitated. Four cell lines expressing susCD163v1, BHK/CMV/susv1 #3, BHK/CMV/susv1 #5, BHK/CMV/susv1 #12, and FK/CMV/susv1 G4 were seeded at sub confluency in 6 well plates and, after overnight incubation, were infected with the NVSL 94-3 isolate of PRRSV. MARC-145 cells were included in the experiment for comparison. The cells were infected with virus at an m.o.i. of approximately 0.1. Virus was adsorbed for 60-90 minutes and was removed. Cells were washed three times with PBS to remove residual virus. One-milliliter aliquots were harvested from the cultures at 12-hour intervals starting immediately after infection and continued through 96 hrs. Fresh culture media was added to the cells at various time points to maintain a culture volume sufficient to prevent the cell monolayer from drying out. Culture supernatants were stored at −80° until all samples were collected. The amount of PRRSV present in the culture supernatants was determined by plaque assay on MARC-145 cells. FIG. 14 shows that all CD163 expressing recombinant cell lines tested were able to produce progeny PRRSV.

Example 27 Blocking PRRSV Infection with Anti-CD163 Antibody Transiently Transfected Cells

BHK-21 cells, seeded in 24 well plates, were transiently transfected with the plasmid pcDNA3.1D-MARC-CD163v2 described in example 8, using Lipofectamine 2000 as described in example 14. After overnight incubation to allow expression of CD163, a titration of goat polyclonal antibody specific for human CD163 (R&D Systems, cat #AF1607) in PBS was added to the cells in a volume of 100 μl. As a control, equivalent amounts of normal goat IgG (R&D Systems, cat #AB-108-C) were used. Following a one-hour incubation at 37° C., the monolayers were infected with approximately 1×10⁷ pfu of a recombinant P129 strain of PRRSV that expresses GFP. The cell monolayers, with anti-CD163 antibody and PRRSV, were incubated at 37° C. for one hour at which time the virus inoculum/antibody mixture was aspirated, the cell monolayer washed once with PBS, and 1 ml of growth medium added to the wells. The cells were incubated for 24 hours at 37° C. to allow PRRSV directed GFP expression. For analysis, the cells were trypsinized, resuspended in 500 μl of PBS and analyzed by flow cytometry to innumerate the PRRSV infected cells via GFP expression. For flow cytometry, uninfected BI-IK-21 cells were used to set the baseline for fluorescence detection, and approximately 100,000 cells were analyzed from each subsequent sample. The results of this analysis, shown in FIG. 15, show that the CD163 specific antibody was able to significantly reduce the number of infected cells when compared to cells incubated with normal goat IgG.

Example 28 Blocking PRRSV Infection by Anti CD163 Antibody Stably Transfected Cells

The NLFK cells that stably express human CD163 (FK-cDNA3.1D-humCD163v2-A6), described in Example 23, were seeded into 24 wells plates. After allowing the cells to attach overnight, a titration of goat polyclonal antibody specific for human CD163 (R&D Systems, cat #AF1607) in PBS was added to the cells in a volume of 100 μl. As a control, equivalent amounts of normal goat IgG (R&D Systems, cat #AB-108-C) were used. Following a one-hour incubation at 37° C., the monolayers were infected with approximately 1×10⁷ pfu of a recombinant P129 strain of PRRSV that expresses GFP. The cell monolayers, with anti-CD163 antibody and PRRSV, were incubated at 37° C. for one hour at which time the virus inoculum/antibody mixture was aspirated, the cell monolayer washed once with PBS, and 1 ml of growth medium added to the wells. The cells were incubated for 24 hours at 37° C. to allow PRRSV directed GFP expression. For analysis, the cells were trypsinized, resuspended in 500 μl of PBS, and analyzed by flow cytometry to innumerate the PRRSV infected cells via GFP expression. Approximately 100,000 cells were analyzed from each sample. The results of this analysis, shown in FIG. 16, show that the CD163 specific antibody was able to significantly reduce the number of infected cells when compared to cells incubated with normal goat IgG.

Example 29 Generation of PRRSV-Permissive Porcine Kidney Stable Cell Lines Using pRSV-susCD163v2

Porcine kidney cells (PK032495) were cultured as described in Example 21. For transfection, cells were seeded in a 24 well plate at 80% confluency and allowed to recover overnight. Transfection of ligated pRSV-susCD163v2 DNA described in Example 5 was performed using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen) following the manufacturer's instructions. Subsequent cloning and selection of PRRSV permissive cells was performed essentially as described in Example 14. The initial cloning by limiting dilution failed to yield single cell derived clones, so 5 wells with PRRSV permissive cells were recloned by limiting dilution to yield clonal cell lines. 10 clones were selected for further study and one of these clones, PK-RSVScript-susCD163v2 #9 showed the ability to support foci growth of PRRSV early after infection (see FIG. 18).

Example 30 Generation of PRRSV-Permissive Feline Kidney Stable Cell Lines Using pRSV-susCD163v2

NLFK feline kidney cells were cultured as described in Example 17. For transfection, cells were seeded at approximately 80% of maximal density in 24 well plates. After overnight incubation the monolayers were transfected with ligation derived RSV/susCD163v2 (see example 5) using Lipofectamine following the manufacturer's instructions. Cloning of the transfected cells and selection of PRRSV permissive cell clones was performed essentially as described in Example 14. Of the 67 cell clones tested for PRRSV permissivity, 20 were found to be positive. An example of the staining observed is shown in FIG. 19.

Example 31 Passage of PRRSV Isolate P201 in PK-RSVScript-susCD163v2 Cells

Amplification of a PRRSV clinical isolate was performed as follows. Peripheral alveolar macrophage (PAM) cells were seeded at 5.4E6 cells per 10 cm2 in a 6 well dish using OptiMEM media supplemented with 2% FBS. After 6 hours the media was aspirated and a 2 ml aliquot of serum harvested from a PRRSV infected pig was added to the cells. Following a 90 minute adsorption, the serum inoculum was removed and replaced with OptiMEM. At approximately 40 post infection the supernatant was harvested and clarified with a 10 minute centrifugation. The supernatant was directly used to infect PK-RSVScript-susCD163v2 clone #9 cells using a 6 hour adsorption. After removal of the inoculum the cells were refed with D-MEM. The P201 virus was serially passaged on the PK-RSVScript-susCD163v2 #9 cell line using alternating infected cell and cell free supernatant passes. We observed that for efficient spread of the virus, the cells should be seeded at 50-70% confluency the day before infection, using flasks of cells that were kept at sub-confluency. To follow the progression of infection, each passage was replicated in multiple wells of identically infected cells and at each day one of the wells was acetone fixed and stained with the FITC labeled monoclonal antibody SDOW17. If the percentage of infected cells was not greater than 50% and significant progression of foci development over the prior clays observations were not seen, the cells in an equivalent well were trypsinized and passed to multiple fresh wells. These infected cell passages were typically at a 1:4 split and sometimes included the addition of an equivalent number of cells from an uninfected culture. Alternatively, if the SDOW17 staining revealed that the infected cell foci had spread sufficiently to account for greater than 50% of the total cells, cell free supernatant was harvested and used to infect multiple wells of freshly seeded cells (FIG. 20). After 11 passages the intervening cell passages were not necessary as the virus was able to grow to sufficient titer to allow consecutive cell free supernatant passaging of the virus.

Example 32 Screening Various CD163 Cell Lines for Permissivity to Various European and North American PRRSV Isolates

Various CD163 transgenic cell lines were assessed for permissivity to low passage European and North American PRRSV isolates (see Table 7). Transgenic CD163 cell lines as described in earlier examples included NLFK-MARC CD163 D4, PK-RSVScript-susCD163v2clone #9 and PK-CMV-susCD163v1-A10. Each CD163 cell line along with cell lines MARC-145, parental feline kidney, parental porcine kidney cell lines (serving as controls) were planted onto 96-well tissue culture plates. Growth media was removed from monolayers and inoculated with 0.1 mL per well of each PRRSV isolate. At day 3 post infection, the plates were fixed with 80% acetone and stained with FITC-conjugated monoclonal antibody SDOW17 (Rural Technologies Inc.) which is specific for the nucleocapsid. Results of the fluorescent antibody (FA) assay are in Table 7. Table 7

FA results of screening of various CD163 cell lines for permissivity to European and North American PRRSV isolates PRRSV Isolate^(a) CD163 Cell Line EU98V226 P129 P201 1151 94-3 IND5 NLFK-MARC ++ + +++ +++ ++ ++++ CD163 D4 PK-RSVScript- + + ++ + + ++ susCD163v2clone #9 PK-CMV- + + ++ ++ ++ ++ susCD163v1-A10 MARC-145 ++ + +++ + ++++ +++ Porcine Kidney − − − − − − (parental) Feline Kidney − − − − − − (parental) ^(a)All PRRSV isolates are North American except EU98V226 is a European isolate.

Example 33 Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) Induction of CD163 Renders Human U937 Cells Permissive to PRRSV Infection

Human U937 cells obtained from ATCC (CRL-1593.2) were propagated in RPMI medium containing serum and additives according to ATCC specifications. These cells are known to express CD163 when activated by PMA treatment (Gronlund et al., 2000). U937 cells were seeded in duplicate in wells of a 6-well plate. One set of wells was treated with 100 ng/ml of PMA and the other set was left untreated. Three days after PMA stimulation, one well from each set was infected with the P129 isolate of PRRSV. The other well from each set was fixed and stained for expression of CD163 in an indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay using goat-anti human CD163 (R&D System) and donkey anti-goat IgG conjugated with FITC (BioDesign International).

Untreated U937 cells continued propagation to high density 3 days after initial planting. PMA-treated U937 cells stopped propagating, became enlarged, and attached to the surface of the culture wells. A small fraction of untreated U937 were positive for CD163 staining, whereas almost all PMA-treated U937 were positive for CD163 staining. In untreated U937 no PRRSV infected cells were observed. However, hundreds of PMA treated U937 cells became infected by PRRSV. This demonstrates that non-permissive cells can be rendered permissive for PRRSV infection following chemical induction of CD163 expression.

Additional features and variations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the entirety of this application, including the detailed description, and all such features are intended as aspects of the invention. Likewise, features of the invention described herein can be re-combined into additional embodiments that also are intended as aspects of the invention, irrespective of whether the combination of features is specifically mentioned above as an aspect or embodiment of the invention. Also, only such limitations that are described herein as critical to the invention should be viewed as such; variations of the invention lacking limitations that have not been described herein as critical are intended as aspects of the invention.

It will be clear that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as particularly described in the foregoing description and examples.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and, therefore, are within the scope of the invention.

The entire disclosure of all publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the extent they are not inconsistent to the disclosure herein. 

1. A method of facilitating production of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) from a culture of vertebrate cells, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a recombinant vertebrate cell transfected with an exogenous polynucleotide that encodes a mammalian CD163 polypeptide so that expression of CD163 polypeptide in said cell is increased; (b) contacting a culture of said cell with PRRSV virus under conditions which permit infection of the cells and growth of the virus; and (c) recovering virus from said culture.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell was previously permissive PRRSV permissive and is rendered more PRRSV permissive.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the cell did not previously express a CD163 polypeptide and is induced to express CD163.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the cell is selected from the group consisting of baby hamster kidney cells (BHK21), porcine kidney cells, feline kidney cells, avian cells, and swine testicular cells.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the PRRSV is of the European genotype.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the PRRSV is of the North American genotype. 